Topamax and Memory Loss: What Users Say

• 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..."

• Sma...
• July 20, 2009

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I've been on Topamax since March 2009. I've lost 75 of the 110 pounds I need to lose. The side effects are annoying, and in the beginning, I really wanted to quit the medication. But as I've lost the weight, I've actually been able to decrease the dosage so a lot of the side effects have decreased as well. Some of them are easier to live with than others. The paresthesia has mostly subsided, but I do still struggle with memory lapses. I quit drinking all carbonated beverages because I do not like the way they taste. That has probably helped with the weight loss anyway. Overall, I am quite pleased. I am also pleased to read that others have been able to maintain their weight on this drug."

• Swe...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 4, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "Began Topamax in 2005 after suffering from migraines that would last for weeks. The litany of side effects is true, and its nickname 'Stupamax' is honestly earned. Word recall, memory, trouble focusing, hand numbness, fatigue, insomnia, the works. But the number of days with headaches went from 21 to 9 in the very first month. Now, after years of taking it, my body has been depleted of vitamin B12, and I have been suffering from horrible GI troubles. However, none of my doctors seemed to link Topamax to the B12 depletion. It took Google to figure that one out. But thank you to Google and B12 supplements. I hope this helps someone else relieve any issues they've been experiencing."

• Anonymous
• April 7, 2009

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "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."

• Pig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 28, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I was prescribed Topamax for migraines. At first, it was amazing, my migraines stopped. But as my dose increased, I began having loss of memory, confusion, and severe panic attacks. These problems persisted for a whole year after stopping the drug. One plus — I have not had a migraine since. This drug changes your brain chemistry. Be really careful."

• Rln...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 7, 2020

For Fibromyalgia "I have been taking Topamax a long time. I was taking 200 mg, but I was having memory issues, so I asked my doctor if I could try 175 mg, and she agreed. It has worked much better. I was taking it all in the morning, and I was so tired in the day. I read on here that someone suggested taking half in the am and half in the afternoon. I started that 2 weeks ago, and it has made a huge difference in my energy level. I used to stay in bed most of the day. Now I bake and do crafts with my kids."

• Tur...
• June 2, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "I love this medicine. My doctor originally gave it to me for weight loss, but it got rid of all my joint pains. I had pain everywhere. It was a miracle drug for me. I am noticing some memory loss and difficulty concentrating, but I'm 52, so it could be age. I'm going to cut back on the dosage and see if I notice changes."

• Zoe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 11, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I tried EVERY medication out there, I swear. It has always ended badly, bad side effects, bad combinations, etc. And because of that I have been more against taking meds. Once we finally figured out that depression wasn't my problem, and I was diagnosed with a mood disorder (unofficially Bipolar II since I'm still not 18), I'm finally on 75mg of Topamax, 20mg of Prozac, and then I take Adderall XR 30mg and Adderall normal 10mg and this combination has had any positive effect, without any negative side effects. I do think I have suffered from the side effect of memory loss and slow thinking, not enough to make me stop taking it though. It has helped me so much and I recommend to anyone who is having trouble finding medicines that work for them."

• Aun...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 8, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I have been through so much with this medicine! I ended up dizzy, confused, very irritable, with pain behind my eyes so bad it would give me headaches every day. I was scared to death to drive as my perception was off, sometimes it was so bad it felt like the road was moving, not my car. I had memory loss and couldn't say things correctly or even make deposits at work, I felt as if my brain was trying to come out of my skull. Because of this, I had to go to the gynecologist because I had abnormal periods and to the neurologist because of my head! I also had breast, arm, and leg pain to the point where I couldn't wash my hair or get ready. My legs were so bad I couldn't make it up the stairs! My husband was scared, and I was scared I was losing my mind and had something major wrong with me. This medicine wreaks havoc on your body, brain, and eyes! NIGHTMARE DRUG... I stopped it 3 days ago and I'm getting better already... I'm 42 and a healthy person, or I was!"

• Mik...
• August 31, 2014

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "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."

• 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."

• SP8...
• September 10, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I cannot recommend this medication. Yes, it did prevent migraines, but the side effects far outweighed the benefit. My doctor put me on a gradual increase in dosage, and I was unable to get past the first week. After a couple of days, I lost control of my own thoughts and focused on every negative my mind could come up with. My work was impacted. I work in an accounting office and lost my ability to count and remember the alphabet. Not to mention, I would stop talking in mid-sentence quite often. I knew what I needed to say, but my mouth just wouldn't do it. My short-term memory was non-existent, and I decided to stop taking this medication after I forgot where I was driving to on my way to work; the same place I've been to for the last 9 years."

• SP8...
• September 10, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I cannot recommend this medication. Yes, it did prevent migraines, but the side effects far outweighed the benefit. My doctor put me on a gradual increase in dosage, and I was unable to get past the first week. After a couple of days, I lost control of my own thoughts and focused on every negative my mind could come up with. My work was impacted. I work in an accounting office and lost my ability to count and remember the alphabet. Not to mention, I would stop talking in mid-sentence quite often. I knew what I needed to say, but my mouth just wouldn't do it. My short-term memory was non-existent, and I decided to stop taking this medication after I forgot where I was driving to on my way to work; the same place I've been to for the last 9 years."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 11, 2013

For Migraine Prevention "My current dosage is 100mg daily. I started at 113 pounds. Today, I weigh 100 pounds due to Topamax. Yes, I agree with everyone, in the beginning, the side effects were the worst. However, my doctor warned me that I would not feel relief until I reached my full dosage and my body adjusted to it, which was about 12 weeks. And I did see a difference. Before Topamax, migraines controlled my life, I had roughly 15 a month. With Topamax, I rarely have a severe migraine at all. Typically, I just get 5-7 headaches a month, which is a big difference. Yes, sometimes I forget my train of thought or feel tingling in my feet. However, those side effects beat the alternative of 50% of my life being controlled by severe migraines."

• 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!"

• 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."

• usm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2014

For Migraine Prevention "I've been on Topamax for about 5 months now (100 mg AM/100 mg PM) and am finally giving up faith. The negative side effects outweigh the slight change in my migraines. Carbonated beverages taste terrible, I have to force myself to eat, I stutter constantly, I can never find the right words and often switch words in a sentence. My memory is horrid, and I always see tracers, which is enough to drive anyone crazy. The only pluses are the slight decrease in the consistency of my migraines and the weight loss."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 31, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I felt compelled to write a review, as I was on Topamax (or should I say Dopamax?!) for about 2 years. I started this medication when I was 21 and was so desperate to find something that would actually help my ongoing migraines. Personally, the side effect symptoms FAR outweighed the benefits. I started out on 25 mg a day and gradually increased to 100 mg. As soon as I got on this, the side effects came rolling in. Before I knew it, my memory was completely gone. In daily conversation, I couldn't think of simple words, names, or phrases. I knew what I wanted to say but couldn't form the words to do so. The worst of all, it really affected my grades in college. I used to have awesome memorization skills. Unfortunately, I would study for hours upon hours and still wouldn't do well as I would have 'brain fog' during tests, etc. Another side effect I experienced was weight loss. I lost around 25 lbs., HOWEVER, I don't believe all of this was ultimately from Topamax. I'd definitely say it suppressed my appetite, but I really changed my eating habits and worked out daily. It helped with my first few pounds and got me motivated to do the rest. On the plus side, I saw a significant difference in the amount of migraines I received. It was a night and day difference in that aspect. However, approaching a year and a half on this medication, I couldn't take it anymore and had to get off. It wasn't worth it anymore. I don't think tapering off or stopping cold turkey on this really makes a difference. My mom stopped cold turkey, and I tapered off, as my doctor instructed me. I rebounded off this HORRIBLY, as did my mom. I was STARVING constantly after no longer taking it. This didn't just go away either. My body didn't feel leveled out and 'detoxed' from this for honestly about a year after. I not only gained back all my weight I lost, but plus some. Although everyone's body reacts differently, I highly do NOT recommend taking this. Not even for those desperate for weight loss. Losing weight from a medication like this is not sustainable long-term. I'm 24 now and am still affected by my choice of taking this. Topamax has ultimately ruined my memory to this day. I still cannot remember words or things. It changed me. Do not take this! There are other answers out there."

• Sup...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 9, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I took Topamax for about 8 to 10 years at maximum dosage for migraine prevention. (Don't recall actual dosage, but I think it was like 400 mg daily.) I went from over 300 migraine days a year down to less than 12 migraine days a year. That's a solid rating of 10 for relief. But the side effects are really bad while on such high doses. 1) Memory loss was terrible, and it does not come back. 2) Kidney stones are another side effect. Turned my kidneys into bean bags, every 6 month scan added 4 to 6 more stones. Finally had to give it up! Now, after being off of Topamax for 3 to 4 years, the migraines are back with a vengeance. P.S. Going to the generic (Topiramate) gave me identical results."

• RJi...
• May 4, 2014

For Migraine Prevention "Wow, what a roller coaster ride! Started on 25 mg, no effect, then 50, 200, finally 400. It did stop the cluster headaches, but extreme confusion, serious loss of hearing, forgetfulness, couldn't remember my phone number! My wife wouldn't let me drive at 400 mg, I was dangerous. Parking became very difficult. Once I had to get out of the car and let her park. Frustrating and humiliating. In the end, I was down to 50 mg a day. Doc said that wasn't causing any side effects at that low dose. WRONG! When I finally stopped, it took a couple of weeks to become me again. I was shocked at the difference it made being off of it. Some of my hearing came back, thankfully. I did lose 30 pounds that did not come back."

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 14, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "Started taking this just before my first semester of college. It was super effective in getting rid of the migraines, but the side effects quickly became too much. I experienced occasional numbness in my hands, which eventually spread all the way up to my elbows, memory loss, and confusion. I would zone out in the middle of conversations, and it got to a point where I would drop words and even phrases from my sentences as I spoke. At its worst, I sobbed through writing an essay as my mom tried to help me piece my thoughts together into something coherent and stop me from dropping entire sentences as I wrote. Quite possibly the worst experience of my life."

• For...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 20, 2012

For Seizure Prevention "I was prescribed this medicine to treat my petite mal seizures. I was never warned of any potential side effects and never thought to ask, seeing as I had never taken a medicine before. After I began taking this, my seizures graduated to full-blown grand mal seizures. I couldn't speak, I couldn't understand others' speech, and I couldn't sleep more than a few hours most nights. Everything came to a head about four months after I began taking the medicine when I couldn't remember how to say 'Bye' to my dad. I would have rather had seizures every day than stay on Topamax! I got off of the medicine and am now on Lamictal, under which I haven't had any seizures or side effects in the two years I've been taking it."

• Anonymous
• March 27, 2008

For Migraine Prevention "I've been taking Topamax for about a year and a half now, and it has drastically cut down the frequency of my migraines. That is so worth the side effects I've noticed. Yes, I've had the tingles and some facial twitches, I've lost about 20 lbs., and I have trouble with word retrieval and memory... but is it worth it? Absolutely! I currently take 250 mg/day-all at night to help minimize the noticeability of the side effects. A good option, in my opinion."

• dim...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 11, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I was taking this medication for over two years. I had to stop it because my memory is terrible. Places I have been going for over ten years, I forgot where they were and how to get there. This medicine has messed up my life, even after I stopped it, my memory still hasn't returned. I deal with this every day, and it scares me so bad. I have to write things down every day in order to remember. It did help with my headaches a little, but if I had read up on this medication before I started, I can promise you I would not have taken it."

• mel...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 6, 2013

For Migraine Prevention "Began taking Topamax in 2006. Before starting on Topamax, migraines were lasting 4-5 days after onset, and frequency of approximately 3 times per month. I experienced some diarrhea, which subsided after breaking the dosage up throughout the day (200 mg daily). Additionally, I have experienced weight loss (a significant amount of 50 lbs) I could not afford to lose. However, the weight loss has subsided as well. Upon beginning the medication, I had trouble recalling words and memory loss. At this juncture, the side effects have since passed and so have the migraines. I experience 1-2 migraines quarterly. Topamax has been a lifesaver for me. I had tried many other migraine preventatives to no avail."