Topamax and Depression: What Users Say

• Bec...
• July 7, 2021

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."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 15, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I’ve taken this medicine, Topamax, two separate times. The first time it helped me lose weight and I didn’t have many side effects, but went off of it once I got in a serious relationship and heard it can make birth control less effective. However, two years after I got off of it, I went back on it because of my binge eating disorder and it was horrible. This time, I had side effects, I was losing feeling in my hands and feet. My face would go numb. It didn’t really help with appetite, and it started to impact my memory. I almost immediately went off of it, and I’m still experiencing memory issues. I’ll be talking and can’t remember words in the middle of a sentence. Or I’ll tell someone something and then a couple of minutes repeat it because I forgot if I said it or not. Keep in mind I’m 21 and shouldn’t be having memory issues like this. I don’t recommend it..."

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

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "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."

• Jen...
• May 30, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "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."

• Lit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "Having thought I was suffering from every ailment under the sun, I discovered it was actually side effects of these tablets. Breast pain, confusion, exhaustion, tingling sensation in fingers and feet, inability to string a sentence together, irritability, anxiety, depression, shortness of breath, heavy limbs. Unfortunately, I am clearly not suited to these tablets. Although, on a positive note, they have stopped my migraines. I'm currently weaning myself off of them, from 75 mg, 25 mg... I've just been prescribed some high-strength B2, to start at 200 mg per day, to increase to 400 mg. In light of these not suiting me, next will be amitriptyline."

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

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "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 because I have been snapping on everyone. I was only on 50 mg, and even tapering to 35 mg didn't lessen the side effects."

• Fer...
• November 22, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I swear, this stuff almost ruined my life. I am a veteran who suffers from anxiety and chronic migraines from an injury in Iraq. The VA (my neurologist) had me try this drug to see if it would help me with the migraines. After about a month, I noticed that I couldn't concentrate, and I'd begun to affect my studies badly. My anxiety was the worst it had ever been, and I was slipping into a depression. I had no idea what was wrong with me. The VA gave me (a person who suffers from anxiety) a medication that makes you stupid and wreaked havoc on my mind without warning me about any potential side effects. I had to process the change on my own, figure out what was wrong with me, and wean myself off the pills. Use with extreme caution!"

• Lif...
• January 18, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I was put on Topamax in September 2019 to treat lifelong migraines. I suffered very severe side effects across the board. My brain got foggy, and I started dropping words or leaving sentences unfinished. I developed a skin reaction to metal, and the skin peeled off under my wedding ring and where my bra clasp met my skin. The worst part was the crippling depression and anxiety. I spent hours crying. I developed such severe anxiety and insomnia that I stopped going to bed. I would just sit on the couch all night in a fog or fighting through panic attacks. I was prescribed Ativan to manage the anxiety. My GP put me on suicide watch and started to taper off the Topamax dosage. Before I was completely off, I developed an allergic reaction: my face, hands, and feet swelled, and I developed full-body hives. I ended up in the ER, where I was put on a high dose of steroids and antihistamines. I went through horrible Topamax withdrawal, which left me nauseous and with the worst headache of my life."

• Mon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I started Topamax at one 50 mg tablet, and I was okay the first weeks. Then I couldn’t eat at all, I was hungry, but I couldn’t eat, and I started developing anxiety and depression and really dark thoughts. I stopped it for 2 weeks and decided to give it another try, and that same night I took the dose, I had horrible anxiety and just didn't feel safe from myself. This medicine is horrible."

• DIA...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 10, 2014

For Migraine Prevention "I used it for migraines. My side effects were: depression, dehydration, impaired thinking, confusion, drowsiness, memory problems, nervousness, trouble concentrating, weakness, loss of appetite, vertigo, and severe anxiety. After stopping this medication, I still suffer from severe anxiety and vertigo."

• Joj...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "This is the worst medication ever. Started at 25 mg for 7 days at night, then moved up to 50 mg. On night 7, advanced each week up until 100 mg. Didn't get past day 12 and decided this was not going to work for me. Vertigo, nausea, loss of appetite, irrational fears, phobias, drug-induced fog, depression, ringing in ears, and can only smell certain strange odors, which are unpleasant. All carbonated drinks are flat and tasteless. At this point, your quality of life is beyond worthless. It helped with migraines...but I was so preoccupied and sick with side effects I'm not sure what was worse."

• Jen...
• July 20, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I'm writing about my 18-year-old daughter who is currently on Topamax. She has suffered from migraines since she was about 12 years old. They would take her out for 2-3 days each, occurring anywhere from 2-6 times a month. When she was first given Topamax, we thought it was the greatest medication ever. Problem solved, she felt that the tingling fingers and face, as well as the flat soda taste, were well worth not suffering from migraines. HOWEVER - and I cannot stress this enough - as she increased her dose, she exhibited personality changes. She became depressed and overall just wasn't herself. Thankfully, we recognized this and are working with her doctor to back off the Topamax. We will be looking into other options. Not worth it!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 25, 2013

For Migraine Prevention "I took Topamax for 2 months until I finally threw in the towel and could take no more. It did stop the migraines, but the other side effects were horrible. I did have the tingling in my hands, feet, and lips, and food did taste way different. I was so depressed I could barely even get out of bed. I actually gained about 5 lbs. while I notice most everyone else lost weight. I cried every day for a week straight, and I'm not like that. My house was a wreck and I could barely help my son with his homework."

• Hea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 11, 2017

For Fibromyalgia "I was put on this medication for fibromyalgia and basilar-type migraines by my neurologist in high school. I originally went off of it because I could not handle the side effects. I was then bullied by my mother and doctor into going back on it because 'it was my only option.' I became face blind, could not navigate my way around even with a map, memory difficulties, issues doing simple math, became asexual, and had no motivation to interact with people. Towards the end of my time on Topamax, I was so depressed that I would just sit despondently. I switched doctors, and she immediately stopped it. The side effects went away after stopping the first time, but after the four years on it, I still have some side effects that haven't completely gone away."

• Hea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 11, 2017

For Fibromyalgia "I was put on this medication for fibromyalgia and basilar-type migraines by my neurologist in high school. I originally went off of it because I could not handle the side effects. I was then bullied by my mother and doctor into going back on it because 'it was my only option.' I became face blind, could not navigate my way around even with a map, memory difficulties, issues doing simple math, became asexual, and had no motivation to interact with people. Towards the end of my time on Topamax, I was so depressed that I would just sit despondently. I switched doctors, and she immediately stopped it. The side effects went away after stopping the first time, but after the four years on it, I still have some side effects that haven't completely gone away."

• DDI...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 13, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I didn't use it long enough to see if it would prevent my monthly migraine, but I wanted to share the side effects I experienced. I started with 25 milligrams twice a day for 7 days and felt okay, but did experience some tingling in my feet and fingers. Then I increased to 50 milligrams twice a day per doctor's order, and things really changed. I started having the craziest dreams every night. Tingling was very pronounced every day in my feet and hands. I couldn't get out of bed easily. I felt very lethargic and really like a zombie. I kind of had a flat affect and felt very robotic at times. Other times, I was very depressed and irritable, or even angry. I stopped taking it. Also, I was hungry all the time. That was not normal for me at all."

• DDI...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 13, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I didn't use it long enough to see if it would prevent my monthly migraine, but I wanted to share the side effects I experienced. I started with 25 milligrams twice a day for 7 days and felt okay, but did experience some tingling in my feet and fingers. Then I increased to 50 milligrams twice a day per doctor's order, and things really changed. I started having the craziest dreams every night. Tingling was very pronounced every day in my feet and hands. I couldn't get out of bed easily. I felt very lethargic and really like a zombie. I kind of had a flat affect and felt very robotic at times. Other times, I was very depressed and irritable, or even angry. I stopped taking it. Also, I was hungry all the time. That was not normal for me at all."

• Ida...
• September 11, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I was getting 10-12 migraines a month when I was prescribed Topamax. I took it for a little over a month but had to quit because it made me extremely depressed and suicidal. After I stopped taking it, I felt fine again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 21, 2015

For Fibromyalgia "Highly negative experience. Was treated for migraines with this medication; however, I ended up with severe depression and suicidal behaviors. It became so bad I could not be left in our house alone. I had muscle atrophy and injured myself just from trying to walk. One broken foot and three back injuries. Worst medication I have ever taken; it almost killed me."

• RLM...
• September 20, 2007

For Migraine Prevention "I took Topamax for about 10 days to prevent migraines. I had several undesirable side effects (trouble focusing, problems with word retrieval, sleepiness). But the worst was feeling depressed. I stopped taking it."

• Bee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I had extreme vision changes, loss of memory, extreme depression with long crying spells, anger, and suicidal thoughts. I have tried it at three different points in my life and have had the same experience each time... NOT GOOD. I tried the medication three times because the doctor and I thought that perhaps the side effects were from a mix of other medications I took with the pill. I did have weight loss, but it was not worth it at all. I could barely drive, and soft drinks (although not really important) tasted amazingly disgusting. I had no warning about all of the things I might experience, and it was horrible trying to teach middle school, raise two young children, do daily tasks, and drive. I've had friends get divorced due to side effects."

• Sna...
• April 24, 2018

For Seizure Prevention "After day one of Topamax, I felt strange. Generally sick. Very nervous. Aggressive. And then very depressed. I kept taking them. My appetite decreased, as did my energy levels. And I was overly thirsty all the time. Some abdominal pains and areas of numbness, particularly of the face, mouth, eyes, etc. Then I broke out in massive bruises. Very dark large hematomas on my arm. I also had bone pains in my lower back and legs. I felt like I was being poisoned to death. So I stopped taking Topamax after a month. After two days, I already am feeling much better. This should not be allowed on the market. Again, Topamax feels like a very cruel lethal drug/poison... Don't take it."

• Anonymous
• June 4, 2009

For Migraine Prevention "I used Topamax for 3 months after working myself up to 150 mg/day. It brought my migraines down from 3-4 a week to 2-3 a month, which is great, however, after having been in and out of hospitals with horrific abdominal pain, my doctor cycled me off of it. I had also lost 20 lbs in a 3-week period but had not noticed a change in my appetite. I am very fit and eat 5-6 times a day to keep up with my metabolism and workouts, so the weight loss was extremely irritating, considering it was nothing but lean tissue. I also could not drink carbonated beverages and was extremely depressed and emotional (which is very out of character). I did not think the side effects I experienced were worth the benefit."

• Emi...
• September 18, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I'm 16 years old, and I've had migraines since I was 2 years old. I was on Topamax for a month and already started feeling stupid, constantly drowsy, depressed. I couldn't remember what I had done a day ago. Being 16 and still in high school, this was a problem. I ended up having an allergic reaction to the medication two weeks after taking it. It felt like I was about to die. I thought I had taken some kind of horrible drug that was about to kill me. I had a rapid heartbeat, slurring speech, delayed responses, I was mentally not there, my vision was messed up, and much more. Worst med ever."

• Des...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "ONLY 25 mg/day, 2nd try. Lasted 3 days. Whoa, just whoa! Within 1 hour, my pain lessened, but side effects were already producing. First, my vision got really distorted. I couldn't focus on command at all. Then my bottom lip wouldn't stop tingling with a numb feeling. I got extremely dizzy and felt out of it. So I thought, let me lay down. Fell asleep 15 min. Woke up, thought an hour passed, was completely out of it. The whole left side of my face felt palsy, completely numb. Tingling/numbness in arms, hands, legs, and feet. The next day, visual less, but symptoms still there. Then the suicidal thoughts and worthlessness came. I made it one more day. Missed a day and took it the following day. I can't do anything on it. Comatosed and psychiatric mind games. DONE!! I'm better without it."