Topiramate for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) User Reviews (Page 3)

• marcm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 11, 2015

"Update on my experience... I have been on it now for 21 days and have lost 15 pounds. First weigh-in at the doctor's office. I feel great. No side effects. At first, I seemed very tired, but now I seem adjusted to the medication. I take 75 mg at night before bed. Sleep better than I ever have. Appetite simply isn't there. Sodas don't taste the same; kind of like they have been sitting out for several days. I remain very hopeful this will work for the long term. I have approximately 100 pounds to lose."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 7, 2021

"Ever since I gave birth to my son I haven’t been able to lose the weight I gained during the pregnancy. I got pregnant at about 125 pounds, and had him around 185/190, I then got down to 155lb, and now I am currently 188. I finally decided to try to lose the weight and had no luck. tried every diet, drink, exercise program. I workout, diet and eat clean. I’m 5’5 and 22 years old. I was always a small person so this is pretty difficult for me. I’ve been on topamax for a few days now. I take 100 mg twice a day, once in the evening and in the morning. It makes things pretty foggy, I don’t feel comfortable driving, I get full very quick and don’t want to eat really. I’m constantly thirsty and my mouth is really tingly as well as my fingers and feet. I’m assuming most side effects will calm down in a few weeks. I’m willing to take it till the weight comes off. My doctor expects to see a minimum of 20 pounds gone in three months. I’ll update in a month."

• Marlowe
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 10, 2016

"I went on topiramate in January 2012 for migraines with positive results. By the end of 2012, I had lost 85 lbs. I had also lost the ability to form sentences because I couldn't find words and was constantly in a fog. That is not good if you're a nurse. Also, my short-term memory was nonexistent, also not good for an acute care medical nurse. By the time the side effects became debilitating, I had to take a short leave of absence to sort out my situation. In the end, the medication was discontinued and I gained 23 lbs of the weight back. I'm not upset because now I have my short-term memory back, plus I've returned to work migraine-free. I'm still better off because I'm still thinner than before I started with topiramate."

• LoveT...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2016

"I was prescribed topiramate for daily post-concussive headaches, and I also needed to lose weight. The first three weeks were really rough, and I was unsure if I could take this medicine long-term. I started off with 25mg the first week, 50mg the second, 75mg the third, then 100mg as my permanent dose. I took it before bedtime as instructed, but I had next-day drowsiness so bad that for three weeks I felt like I was going to faceplant at any moment. Also, the nausea was so bad that I barely ate. Thankfully, both of these side effects stopped after about 3 weeks as did most of my headaches. I've also lost 22 lbs in 2 months. The best part is that it has given me control back in that I eat smart and don't have unhealthy cravings."

• Compu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 4, 2019

Topamax (topiramate) "I was put on 25mg of this drug by my psychiatrist to control my appetite, but felt, well, just "off"." I told my psychiatrist that I wll stop taking it because I didn't like the way it made me feel and never took it again."

• robin
• December 22, 2015

"I've been on Topamax for about 3 months. 25mg 2x a day. It's definitely effective in controlling my appetite. It took a little time but became more effective with time. I am able to eat very small portions and have full control over myself. I have changed to healthy eating - less bread and pasta, more brown rice, veggies, sweet potatoes. I still fry veggies in olive oil and eat a baked potato sometimes, but cut way back on portions and added snacks between meals. Then every 3 days, I make sure to eat something a little more fattening and it helps me lose weight. For salad dressing, I use oil and vinegar with a seasoning packet. No sweet tea, etc. Lots of water. I walk daily too! I started weighing 267, now down to 225. I'm confident I'll lose 85 lbs."

• TheKa...
• November 9, 2016

"Started at 25mg twice a day, then 50mg twice a day. Definitely helps my appetite! Easily drop 10 pounds a month when I behave myself and have lost 80 pounds so far. When I went to 75mg twice a day I started feeling in a fog and definitely getting a bit zombie so I dialed it back to 50 twice a day and am carrying on. I started at 404 and am currently at 315. I would imagine like anything, you have to work with it but I am thrilled! STILL a long ways to go, but I got a good start! I like it!"

• Mike_...
• August 31, 2014

Topamax (topiramate) "Awful. I lost 10 pounds in 5 weeks before I had to quit Topamax due to side effects, which were terrible. They included: memory loss and 'senior moments' which increased 10-fold. I think this medicine dropped my IQ by at least 15 points; that 'I'm not part of this world' feeling of disconnectedness; and overheating to the point that I simply could not work out. Gained the 10 pounds back within 3 weeks of quitting."

• Maryh...
• February 17, 2016

"I take topiramate and phentermine together and it works great. I lost 50 pounds in 5 months taking them in the morning. I have no appetite all day and night. I have to force myself to eat, and I eat what I want but not a lot of it. My side effect is dry mouth. I was on Qsymia, which is those two drugs combined but very expensive and the insurance won't cover it."

• Ms...
• August 23, 2016

"I've been on topamax for 6 weeks now along with walking at least 2 to 3 miles a day, sometimes skipping a day or two depending on the weather. I'm 40 lbs down. Appetite is gone, smoothies are enough for me, and no snacks. No side effects, by the way. 50 mg twice daily."

• DeeDee
• June 9, 2018

"I have been on 25mg of topiramate, 1x a day, in the mid-afternoon (my binge likelihood increases around dinner until bedtime). I have had some form of an eating disorder since I was 16. I am 41. I stopped starving a few years ago and binge with purging about every few months. I gained 60 pounds over the last 4 years. I managed to not gain any weight in the last year, but unable to lose anything. I simply fluctuate a few pounds. I had tingling in my hands on my 4th day, bad numbness, that has subsided to occasional tinglingly. From day 4 to day 9, I have lost 5.2 pounds. In the last 3 years of attempting weight loss, I couldn't lose 5 lbs in a month. I am eating 3 meals and maybe 1 snack. The best way I can describe it is that my attitude toward food is 'meh'. I am a carb addict, yet I am unable to binge, even if I wanted to. I stop eating even though I still have 'hunger pains' (I am eating full servings). I have always struggled with eating until STUFFED. Not in the last week."

• carrie
• March 23, 2019

"Just started 25 mg topiramate for weight loss and nighttime binge eating. I am a 64-year-old former social worker who has struggled with weight loss since age 16. History of depression for which I take 30 mg Prozac. My lowest weight was 120 lb, and highest was 173 lb. Currently, I am 167 lb. Unlike many people, topiramate keeps me awake at night, plus early morning awakening. It has been 16 days, and still no relief with the insomnia. I take the pill at 4:00 PM but tried taking it at noontime today. On the positive side, it has decreased my cravings and appetite. I can sit and watch TV at night and not run back and forth into the kitchen - wow - what a novel experience. So this is what it feels like to be normal with food? Still get up and eat at night; tend to eat healthy, although last night I got into the cookies. First time in 16 days. Not bad. I'm going to keep waiting and hope I can sleep at some point. Anyone else with insomnia and did it go away over time?"

• revie...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2019

Topamax (topiramate) "Please do not take this medication! it's not worth it! I had put on some weight and doc wanted me to take this to curb appetite. It has caused me to become angry, severely depressed, having crying spells, overly sensitive for no reason, tingling in legs and hands, eye issues, and foggy head. It's been only 3 weeks and I am now tapering off cause I have been snapping on everyone. I was only on 50mg and even tapering to 35mg didn't lesson the side effects."

• Anonymous
• April 7, 2009

Topamax (topiramate) "I have struggled with weight loss for years. Food cravings are one of my symptoms. Topamax really did help with this, however, my energy and memory are not what they used to be. Originally, I thought it was a trade-off I could adjust to but the fuzzy memory for me is frustrating. I sometimes say words that I am thinking about and don't even realize it. Then argue that I didn't say it, only to find out I did. Silly, but worth revisiting my physician about. I struggle with the same 10-20 lbs but won't give up. I would recommend trying it to people who are serious about weight loss. It helps you push your plate away and not obsess about food. That was an experience I had never had before, but I need my memory."

• jsece
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 18, 2016

"I am on day 4 now, and I am pretty spacey. I feel like I have smoked weed, honestly. However, I started at 277, and I am at 272 this morning. I am taking 50 mg twice a day. So I think what I will do since I have to work is cut them in half and do half in the morning, half at lunch, half at dinner, and half at bedtime so it's not so crazy. Lol. It does cause slight memory loss and a little tingly feeling, but it's not unbearable. I have noticed I do not want any sweets. I crave fruit and veggies, or nothing. I had 36 cookies on my desk Friday and didn't eat one of them... This is very worth it. And the side effects do wear off after a while. That's how I know it's time to take another half. I will update later. Yay, I'm extremely happy!!"

• Anonymous
• February 15, 2011

Topamax (topiramate) "Topamax combined with Melatonin have prevented me from waking up and eating in the middle of the night. It has allowed me to diet and make progress. However, side effects have been challenging; mental fog and reduced sex drive are just a few."

• Jenno...
• May 30, 2015

Topamax (topiramate) "I was on 25 mg to start and ended up taking 100. I lost weight. But the price I paid in side effects was not worth it. I lost so much hair that when I try to braid it, it's like braiding tiny strands of dental floss. It looks so ridiculous; long I had to chop it all off just to conceal how grossly thin it is. People call it Dopamax for a reason. It made my memory Swiss cheese, and when I had to process information, it felt like fighting through seaweed. The worst side effect was the depression. This stuff makes me downright suicidal. It helped me lose about 80 pounds by starvation. I never wanted to eat. I became anemic. If you've never had that before, you'll find simple physical tasks to feel like they're inciting heart attacks."

• Leslie...
• August 20, 2017

"Been obese all my life. Weighed 385 lbs, 5'5'' tall. 30 years old, no kids, divorced. Made an appointment with a new psychiatrist for antidepressants. Uterine cancer diagnosis a year ago, dark times. Oncologist won't perform my major surgery because of my weight and complications during prior surgery (had trouble breathing on the table). Doctor prescribed me Cymbalta for pain and depression, and Topamax 25mg at night to help with weight loss. I lost 10 lbs in 10 days. Keep in mind I had started working out 3-4 times a week for 9 weeks before our appointment. I spend 20 minutes straight on the elliptical and 20 minutes on free weights, cardio, low weight high reps. Soda and coffee taste like crap to me now, and I was addicted to both. I stop eating when I'm full. I feel hungry a lot less."

• myblu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2015

"I actually requested to be put on topiramate to help lose weight knowing it was a side effect and to prevent my horrible migraines. I can say it has worked for both. I started out on 50mg a night on Dec. 21, 2014, and at that time, I weighed in at 227 lbs per Doc scales. At my last check-up on March 31st, I weighed 203. And my migraines were reduced greatly. The thing was my body was starting to get used to the medication, so they did have to up the dosage to help my migraines; I'm now on 100mg a night. The side effects subsided after about two months of taking the medication (slightly tingling in the fingers and feet from time to time, little foggy/forgetful). I cannot taste and have not had one carbonated beverage since the 21st of December."

• Viole...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 1, 2017

"I'm on my 3rd day using Topamax for weight loss. I weighed myself after the 2nd day and had lost 6 pounds, having not changed my eating at all. Second day evening I started craving all healthy foods, so went to the store and got all healthy stuff. I get full pretty easily now (before I could eat for 2 with no problem!). I did get a tiny rash on my face, but it is gone now on day 3. I haven't had any additional side effects yet - hoping I don't! I'm taking 25 mg in the morning and 50 at night. Oh, and I was absolutely addicted to coffee, drinking at least 40 oz per day. Now it makes me sick to think about. Also wine is not appealing at all. I'm pretty happy with the results so far!"

• crazy...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 2, 2017

Topamax (topiramate) "My original intent with Topamax was never weight loss (mood), nor would I have ever believed the results I've obtained 19 months later. Quick negatives: my mental agility decreased significantly, I misspell my own name; most food & beverages taste like rubbish; and the generic version is subpar. I was always overweight. I'm in my mid-30s, male, and slimmed down from 275 to the low 180s, size 42 to 32, XXL to L. The weight stays off! I still drop a few pounds every month. However, it's impossible for me to get off. I tried once and went into severe depression, but I'm at a healthy weight now with perfect blood pressure."

• NASHV...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 27, 2014

Topamax (topiramate) "I was very excited when I started taking this medication. And then... I had read the side effects, and I was like, oh, this is crazy. I will say I was on no other medication. I have never had hair loss like this. It was gobs of hair in my shower. The previous posters that refer to brain fog - yep, that too."

• Chick...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 27, 2017

"Started ten days ago. First night, I passed out. Very tired. Next few days in a deep fog and a bit disconnected. I no longer have those side effects. Doctor has me at 50 mg once daily, and I take it in the evening. I literally eat half of what I previously did. I lost about three pounds over the course of a week, no exercise involved. I'm not counting calories; just not interested in junk food. I read a post on another forum to take extra B complex and Biotin to avoid any hair loss as the drug seems to deplete that nutrient in the body. Will post again in another few weeks with more information. I was at the point where I was considering surgery because I had tried everything."

• Casey...
• June 10, 2016

Topamax (topiramate) "Ok, so I am going on my third week of Topamax. I have seizures, uncontrollable migraines, and obesity, so let me begin with saying this. I have noticed a significant change in my body as far as the weight loss goes - 6 pounds since I have been on it and still losing. However, I have lost my appetite; I have no desire to eat. I may eat only once a day; that's the only downside I have noticed. I have noticed a change in carbonated drinks; they don't taste the same anymore. I am currently coming off Tegretol, which was only treating my seizures, and I was gaining so much weight. So, I'm thankful that Topamax is working for me, and I only have to take one pill a day to treat all my ailments."

• burli...
• May 12, 2017

"I started topamax in February of 2017 at 248 pounds on 25 mg at bedtime. Now I take 100 mg at bedtime and as of May 2017, I am 230 pounds. When I started, I noticed the difference within a few days. I have not had any bad experiences with this pill."