Topiramate User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• bea...
• November 7, 2008

Topamax (topiramate) for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have never had the feeling of being full and have fought obesity since childhood. I had a successful gastric bypass in 1980 (but with serious lifelong medical complications) and lost 170 lbs after the operation. Over the years, I've gained and lost up to 70 lbs but never held a steady weight. I saw a psychiatrist 6 years ago (for other reasons) and shared this with him. He told me about Topamax and explained that it did not work in everyone, but had with some of his patients with true food disorders. He started me at 5mg/day and increased the dosage by 5mg/week. When I reached 150mg/day, I noticed that I consistently pushed my plate away or stopped eating when I was full. It has been a miracle, and my weight hasn't varied more than 5 lbs in 7 years."

• Bec...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 7, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started at 50 mg a day. My weight was 227 lb. After 4 weeks, I am down to 209 lb. Side effects were tingling in hands and feet. Not too bad and have gotten better. Soda tastes very flat! Helps a lot with appetite. Will continue to take and try to lose another 30 pounds."

• san...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have started Topiramate three weeks ago on 25 mg for the first week then to 50 mg the second week, 150 mg the third week, and today I am increasing the dose to 200 mg for the rest of my time on the med. The first week I started the med, I immediately started feeling full, and that had never in my entire life happened to me. I had always felt like I could eat at the fullest state, and now one small meal and a few glasses of water was just enough. In three weeks, I have lost 8 lbs, and that is considering I haven't changed anything in my diet. I haven't cut any carbs or sugar simply because I only eat once a day. Overall, there has been some tingling in my feet, which is so normal, and at times I feel it, but seeing the results makes me super happy, so I will continue using Topiramate."

• jen...
• October 18, 2016

Topamax (topiramate) for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "This is an early review as I just started it on 10/16/16, but the food cravings are gone. It takes less food to satisfy me, soda tastes terrible, cigarettes taste different and bad (which is a surprisingly good side effect!), and I just feel better with less food in me. I have tried phentermine with no luck and usually had good success with natural weight loss until being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and needing a knee replacement, which keeps me from working out too much. So far, I am impressed. I'll be back in a few weeks for a weigh-in review. No side effects like others have had with mental fogginess or tingling. 25mg 2x a day. Here's hoping my 235 can become 155 again!"

• Bec...
• July 7, 2021

Topamax (topiramate) for Migraine Prevention "I was given Topamax about 2 months ago for recurring migraines; it did nothing but make my life a living nightmare. I started with complete loss of appetite followed by extreme nausea. After that, the psychological effects started. I became extremely paranoid. The anxiety and paranoia got worse the longer I was on Topamax, which was soon accompanied by intense depression. Next came the hallucinations. I would see paintings moving on the walls, see colors and shapes moving across the floor, and I would hear voices multiple times a day. I fully regret ever taking this drug. I want my life back."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2012

Topamax (topiramate) for Bipolar Disorder "I switched to Topamax from Lamictal to see if it would control my bipolar disorder and help me lose weight. My mood and sleep have been incredible, and I have lost 15 lbs in 6 weeks on Topamax. I was a little worried about having memory problems, but have not suffered this side effect at all. I have a little tingling in my feet at night, but not bad enough to stop taking it. Overall, I highly recommend this medication for bipolar disorder."

• Ell...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2018

Topamax (topiramate) for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "3 months ago I was 259 lbs, and now I am 219 lbs. I take Topamax daily, and Phentermine 1-2 days a week sometimes, and it’s helped not only my mood but my obsessive thoughts about eating and food. I don’t sit and think about it all day long. I also had an energy drink addiction and broke it because all carbonated drinks taste flat! All soda tastes awful!! I do get bad headaches if I miss a dose. Don’t miss your pills. I used to get bad headaches weekly but not since taking this medication - they don’t come around anymore. I’m topped off at 50/twice a day, but I’d happily take 100/twice a day. I do get brain farts, but after 3 months it’s not as bad."

• Los...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2017

Topamax (topiramate) for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I'm definitely losing weight extremely fast with this medication. I took 25 mg at night the first 30 days and I'm now on the start of the third month at 50 mg at night. Also, 37.5 mg Adipex every morning. With Topamax, I CANNOT eat. Everything I eat makes me sick. It definitely changes your sense of taste and smell, which has pretty much stopped my smoking. So, there are huge benefits, just the side effects can be a little unbearable at times. I've lost 28.7 pounds in 2 months."

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 19, 2015

Topamax (topiramate) for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am extremely obese. My starting weight when I started taking Topamax was 289.0 lbs. I weighed myself every few days. I started for one week taking 25 mg in the morning and 25 mg in the evening. Now I take 50 mg in the morning and 50 mg in the evening. I'm also eating right - veggies, fruits, and snacks. This medication is making me lose at least 13 lbs since Jan. 5, 2015, and today I'm 276.0 lbs and it's Jan. 19, 2015. In that short amount of time, that's a good amount of weight to drop. So thank you, Topamax!"

• Ree...
• May 16, 2016

Topamax (topiramate) for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "First started Topamax in 2013, lost 30 lbs on 75mg in 3 months. Topamax 25 mg 3 times a day with 30 mg Prozac once a day. Weight went from 278 to 248. I am a 65-year-old female, obese all my life. Had experimental Lap-Band surgery in 1979, gained all weight back. Tried everything and gained back all weight every time. Can't take diet pills as they make me too jittery. After three years, stopped Topamax due to minor memory loss, which I thought was embarrassing. Stayed on Prozac 30 mg and gained all weight back and more, up to 291. Now I am really depressed. Came off Prozac and am back on Topamax 25 mg in the morning and 25 mg at night only. Have lost 3 lbs in one week. So happy. Would rather walk and feel better physically than remember someone's name."

• Boj...
• March 16, 2014

Topamax (topiramate) for Migraine Prevention "I'm 50 years old and have suffered from migraines since I was about 12 years old. Too long! I've taken every medicine possible for prevention or cure with little or no relief. Too many trips to the ER for shots...the only real fix; then back home in a dark room for much-needed sleep. When my internist suggested Topamax, I jumped at the opportunity. Boy, I'm happy that I did. Yes, I had the initial side effects, lost 35 lbs originally (gained 10 back), have tingling in my fingers & toes but only in the winter when I'm cold. Very manageable. I don't drink pop, but tried one. Wow...it was flat. I do struggle with words at times, but still manageable. My 3/week migraines now down to 1/month are generally managed with Excedrin Migraine. A"

• mes...
• April 16, 2021

Topamax (topiramate) for Migraine Prevention "I suffer from migraines and perimenopause and started to gain those extra pounds that just won't come off. With migraines, it's hard to work out, go for walks, and effectively lose the weight that women in perimenopause suffer from. I am 5'3 and always weighed between 120-125, but now I weigh 140. Since I started on Topamax in February, my doctor put me on 25mg per day for 2 weeks, then increased it to 2 doses a day in the 3rd week. Now it's April 16th, and I weigh in at 125, back to my original weight. I feel back to normal with so much energy. The only side effects I experience are feeling colder with cold hands and increased thirst, which is okay as it prompts me to drink more water, a habit I didn't have before. My migraines are reduced, and I feel alive."

• Joj...
• December 31, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started topiramate for headaches due to head injuries. I was also overweight, at 290 lbs. My neurologist started me on 50mg of topiramate, and I lost 40 lbs. Awesome for weight loss, but the headaches are still there, so I got upped to 100mg. Then I lost another 50 lbs, I was so happy. But my headaches were not leaving me alone. So I got upped to 200mg, and that's when everything stopped. It was done, and I have gained back some of the weight that I had lost. Still on the 200mg but I'm not losing any weight."

• FIN...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2022

Topamax (topiramate) for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I used food to fix everything in my life, my entire adult life. I have lived in a fat suit my entire adult life. 2-18-2022 (270 lbs) I was given Topiramate to try for weight loss because I was tired of trying stimulants that caused high blood pressure, which I only needed to take yet another pill for. Grrrrr. It has now been 11 days. I went to the same doctor's office, but to see the physical therapist this time. I snuck over to the scale... (260 lbs!) 10 lbs in 11 days!! Wow! I feel free of the shackles of food! Thank you, Topiramate."

• npa...
• February 7, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I AM BACK... 6 months gone! I'm at 162 pounds and I just started taking 200 mg, still no side effects. My migraines are gone... I'm happy! Good luck to all of you. I started this medication on August 1st. At that time, I weighed 208 pounds. Today is August 17th and I weigh 200 pounds. I'm only taking 50 mg, and I'm supposed to go up to 100 mg. I would say it's working for me, no side effects yet! I will keep you informed. Thank you."

• Anonymous
• July 8, 2010

Topamax (topiramate) for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I was on Topamax for almost 3 years, was prescribed it for severe migraines. The weight loss was a side effect, a nice one though! I didn't need to lose much to begin with, maybe 20 lbs or so, and I started to notice that I went from the 140s to the 120s. I am now off this medicine as I have been migraine-free for almost two years and the only bad thing I can say is that the weight comes right back on if you're not watching very carefully. Also, HUGE side effect was the medicine caused my body to not sweat, which caused severe overheating. It's a less common side effect, but a very super important one to be aware of."

• Anonymous
• November 5, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I’m just starting topamax for weight loss after a 60-pound weight gain from abilify! My current dose is 25 mg in the am and 25 mg in the pm. So far, so good! No serious side effects! I already feel my appetite starting to decrease. I have yet to weigh myself, but I think I feel a bit of a difference. I’ll post an update later."

• 675...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 19, 2016

Topamax (topiramate) for Migraine Prevention "I've been taking Topamax for over 10 years. At first, I lost 30 pounds. YIKES! I stabilized and gained back some weight to a good weight for me. A few times I've had tingling in my fingers that lasted a very short duration. I've been a chronic migraine sufferer for over 30 years. Started at 20, and I'll be 54 soon. Like many... I've been to many doctors and tried too many meds. This was the only thing that worked. Thankfully, for me, the side effects were minimal. Just because you have one bad experience, don't suffer. Find something. Meditation... something. You deserve a better life. We wouldn't be on this board if we didn't want to discourage or encourage someone else. Keep trying to live pain-free."

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "Migraines, bonus weight loss. I’ve had migraines for years but they have recently increased in frequency. Suffering from severe migraines (2-3 a week lasting a day or two each). I finally decided to try a daily med. I started with Verapamil. No good - dizzy, could barely walk or function. Prescribed topiramate next. I’m migraine-free for two months (only 1 minor migraine the first week) and down from 139 to 128. I’m 5’5. No other side effects - mind is clear, no tingling. I feel great! Everyone’s body is different. I hope what worked for me works for you."

• Liz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2019

Topamax (topiramate) for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Two weeks ago, my Dr. prescribed Topamax to help aid my weight loss and reach my goals. All was well until last Friday, every food and drink, except for water and Gatorade, made me nauseous and sometimes vomit. Constant constipation or raging diarrhea. None of the foods or drinks had much taste. No appetite but growling stomach. My feet were constantly tingling. I started getting dizzy and blacking out. Horrible breast pain and just felt horrible. It was the lowest dose prescribed, so I stopped it last night and have an appointment tomorrow morning. The more I researched the drug, it's horrible for your body - eyes, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system to name a few. Just not worth it!"

• She...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 31, 2018

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been on Topiramate for 9 months and have lost 50 pounds. I have been fortunate to have very little side effects. I take 25mg 2x a day but we are considering an increase. I also took phentermine for several months and then I switched to Vyvanse. I have had BED and food addiction my entire life and I am almost 48 years old. I do Weight Watchers and I walk on a treadmill 5-6 hours a week. For the first time in my life, I don't think about food constantly and I can identify when I am full, it is such a strange feeling. I have always known there was something wrong in my head that kept me from losing and keeping weight off, and I am glad I found a doctor that listened to me and knew how to help me. I will probably be on these medications for the rest of my life but I am okay with that, at least I feel that way right now."

• ado...
• March 27, 2013

Topamax (topiramate) for Bipolar Disorder "I have had a good experience after trying to find the right cocktail for several years. I have a very high-stress job and my anxiety is put to the test daily. It is not clinically significant at this point, and I can only attribute that to finally having my medicines right. I am taking Wellbutrin, Lamictal, Topamax, and Zoloft at pretty low dosages for each. I did lose about 70 pounds. After over a year on the Topamax, my normal appetite has started to return and I have gained back about 10 pounds, but I still have self-control that I lacked when I was fighting depression, which is now at bay."

• AVa...
• July 18, 2018

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started taking 25 mg of topiramate 2x a day for migraines 4 months ago. My doctor told me it could also help me lose weight, which would be an added benefit because I was about 50 lbs overweight at the time. I should also add that right now I’m on 50 mg 2x per day, and that’s the dosage that is helping me with weight loss. I wasn’t losing weight on 25 mg. I have to say that when you first start taking this, there are some weird side effects (the tingling hands and feet were the worst for me) but they do go away with time. I did get a little bit of the brain fog that people talk about, but it really wasn’t too bad, but I wasn’t on a very high dosage. I can imagine it could be bad on a higher dosage. Anyway, since I’ve started taking this, I haven’t had one migraine, whereas I was averaging 6 per month before. And as for the weight loss, I have lost 20 pounds without even trying. When I eat, I get full much quicker than I did before. I am averaging weight loss of 1.5-2lbs per week now."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 23, 2019

Topamax (topiramate) for Migraine Prevention "So far so good! No migraines! No more vomiting! I am losing weight! The best part is I am sleeping, whereas before, the insomnia was truly the worst. I pray all this continues. I have had no side effects at all."

• ann...
• September 6, 2011

Topamax (topiramate) for Bipolar Disorder "I have taken Topamax for bipolar twice. First for three years, then now for a year. Do not know why I ever went off! This has been great for me after 25 years on lithium, which was like living under 4 wet wool blankets. I also tried Depakote, which only increased the weight gain and depression. At first, the side effects were a bit rough even at the initial very low dose of 25 mg. Very sleepy and tingly of hands and feet. BUT they pass, they really do. It may take a week of just being exhausted even when you increase your dose. The appetite depressant is wonderful. Also cuts down on general anxiety. Takes the real edge off the hypomania. I have not had any of the problems with finding words, etc."