Topiramate Patient Tips

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on July 26, 2024.

1. How it works

• Topiramate reduces the frequency and duration of seizures and is used in the treatment of certain types of epilepsy. It also prevents the development of migraine headaches.
• Experts aren't sure exactly how topiramate works in either epilepsy or to prevent migraines but research suggests it dampens down excessive nerve firing, enhances the actions of GABA, and blocks the effects of other chemical messengers.
• Topiramate belongs to the class of medicines known as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors or carbonic anhydrase inhibitor anticonvulsants. It may also be called an anticonvulsant.

2. Upsides

• May be used as a sole therapy or in addition to other medications for the treatment of partial-onset or primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in adults and children over the age of two.
• May be used in addition to other medications for the treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in adults and children over the age of two.
• May be used to prevent the development of migraine headaches in adults and children aged 12 years and older.
• Available in an extended-release formulation as a generic and under the brand name Trokendi XR and Qudexy XR for use in adults and children over the age of 6 (Trokendi XR) or 2 (Qudexy XR) with epilepsy or 12 with migraine.
• Also available in a ready-to-use liquid formulation to treat epilepsy in patients aged 2 years and older and prevent migraine in those aged 12 years and older (brand name Eprontia 25 mg/mL).
• Does not require monitoring of blood concentrations.
• Generic topiramate is available.

3. Downsides

If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include:

• Drowsiness that may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. Avoid alcohol.
• Sudden eye pain and decreased vision associated with or without glaucoma have been reported; symptoms may occur in both children and adults and typically start within 1 month of starting therapy. Seek urgent medical attention; drug discontinuation may be necessary to avoid permanent vision loss.
• Reduced ability to sweat and increased body temperature. This is more likely to occur in children, especially in hot weather or when used in conjunction with other drugs that also raise body temperature (such as acetazolamide or hyoscine). Hypothermia (low body temperature) has also been reported when topiramate is taken in conjunction with valproate.
• Confusion, difficulty with concentration/attention, forgetfulness, speech or language difficulties, depression or mood problems, flushing, fever, tiredness, fatigue, weight decrease and tingling of the extremities are common side effects. May cause hypothermia or hyperammonemia with or without encephalopathy; the risk is greater with concomitant valproate use.
• The risk of kidney stones in people taking topiramate is two to four times higher than in the general population.
• May cause disturbances in bicarbonate levels leading to metabolic acidosis; caution when used with metformin.
• Rarely, has been associated with sudden unexplained death.
• Should not be stopped suddenly when used to treat epilepsy. Rather, the dosage should slowly be reduced.
• Topiramate will not treat a migraine, it will only help prevent one from developing.
• As with other antiepileptics, topiramate may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior; monitor for worsening depression or mood changes.
• Dosage may need reducing in people with kidney or liver disease.
• May interact with several other drugs including seizure medications (such as phenytoin and carbamazepine), oral contraceptives, lithium, and pioglitazone.
• Reliable contraception should be used if topiramate is taken by women of childbearing age as the use of topiramate has been associated with cleft lip or palate in the developing baby.

Note: In general, seniors or children, people with certain medical conditions (such as liver or kidney problems, heart disease, diabetes, seizures) or people who take other medications are more at risk of developing a wider range of side effects. View complete list of side effects

4. Bottom Line

Topiramate may be prescribed either alone or in combination with other medications for the treatment of certain types of epilepsy, or it may be given for the prevention of migraines. Drowsiness is a common side effect and it may occasionally cause visual or metabolic disturbances.

5. Tips

• Can be taken with or without food.
• Tablets have a bitter taste; do not break.
• Eprontia oral solution is usually administered twice daily without regard to meals. Use the calibrated measuring device to measure and deliver the prescribed dose accurately.
• Topiramate is usually started at a low dosage and then titrated up slowly until an effective dose is reached (experts suggest increasing it by 25 mg/day every week). Your doctor will explain this to you.
• Topiramate should be discontinued slowly to minimize the potential for seizures unless a rapid withdrawal is justified. Your doctor will talk to you about tapering topiramate down when it comes time to discontinue it.
• Seek urgent medical attention if you develop eye pain, blurred vision, or visual disturbances while taking topiramate.
• Also, report any changes in mood or the development of depression or suicidal thoughts to your doctor.
• Keep up your fluid intake and avoid dehydration as topiramate can increase the risk of kidney stones developing. Topiramate may also make you sweat less or give you a fever. Contact your doctor if your fever does not go away, you develop abdominal pain with or without vomiting, or you are unable to sweat.
• Do not drive or operate machinery or perform other hazardous tasks if topiramate makes you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol can potentiate these effects so should be avoided.
• Topiramate should not be taken during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

6. Response and effectiveness

• Peak concentrations of topiramate are reached within two hours of oral administration. Some effects appear within a few days of taking topiramate; however, it may take up to eight weeks before the full effects are seen.
• The sprinkle formulation of topiramate and the immediate-release tablet formulation of topiramate are bioequivalent (this means they are absorbed to the same extent and are interchangeable).

7. Interactions

Medicines that interact with topiramate may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works, increase side effects, or have less of an effect when taken with topiramate. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of the medications; however, sometimes it does. Speak to your doctor about how drug interactions should be managed.

Common medications that may interact with topiramate include:

• acetazolamide
• amitriptyline
• antidepressants, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (eg, isocarboxazid, selegiline, or tranylcypromine)
• antiepileptics, such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, and valproate
• diuretics, such as HCTZ
• ginkgo
• lithium
• oral contraceptives
• pioglitazone
• tramadol.

Alcohol may enhance the sedative effects of topiramate.

Note that this list is not all-inclusive and includes only common medications that may interact with topiramate. You should refer to the prescribing information for topiramate for a complete list of interactions.

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Frequently asked questions

• Does this drug cause weight loss?
• Does topiramate cause hair loss?
• How long do you stay on Topamax for migraines?
• How long does it take for Topamax to start working?
• How long does Topamax stay in your system?
• How does Trokendi XR help with weight loss?
• Are Topamax and Trokendi XR the same thing?
• What is topiramate used to treat?
• What not to take with topiramate?

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use topiramate only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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