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Topamax, |topiramate

topiramate

Generic Name: topiramate (oral) (toe PYRE a mate)
Brand Names: Topamax

What is topiramate?

Topiramate is a seizure medication, also called an anticonvulsant.

Topiramate is used alone or in combination with other medications to prevent seizures in adults and children who are at least 2 years old.

Topiramate is also used to prevent migraine headaches. Topiramate will only prevent migraine headaches or reduce the number of attacks. It will not treat a headache that has already begun.

Topiramate may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about topiramate?

Ketogenic or "ketosis" diets that are high in protein and low in carbohydrates can increase the risk of kidney stones. Avoid the use of such diets while you are taking topiramate.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking topiramate?

Before taking topiramate, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• kidney disease or a history of kidney stones;
• liver disease;

• glaucoma;

• asthma, emphysema, or bronchitis; or

• if you have recently had surgery.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use topiramate, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

How should I take topiramate?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Topiramate can be taken with or without food.

The tablet should be swallowed whole. It has a bitter taste when chewed or broken.

To make swallowing easier, you may open the topiramate capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce, custard, ice cream, oatmeal, pudding, or yogurt. Swallow this mixture right away without chewing. Do not save the mixture for later use.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using topiramate. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Symptoms of a topiramate overdose may include drowsiness, dizziness, agitation or depression, blurred vision, problems with speech or balance, stomach pain, chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats, feeling light-headed, fainting, and seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while taking topiramate?

Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by topiramate.

Ketogenic or "ketosis" diets that are high in protein and low in carbohydrates can increase the risk of kidney stones. Avoid the use of such diets while you are taking topiramate.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Drink extra fluids in these situations.

Topiramate side effects

• sudden vision loss, pain around or behind your eyes;

• dry mouth, increased thirst, confusion, drowsiness, decreased sweating, increased body temperature, and hot, dry skin,

• nausea, vomiting, increased urination, muscle pain or weakness, fast heart rate, feeling light-headed, fainting, or seizure (convulsions); or

• severe pain in your side or lower back, painful or difficult urination.

Continue taking topiramate and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• slowed thinking, memory problems, trouble concentrating;

• problems with speech or balance;

• numbness or tingling;

• anxiety, depressed mood, sleep problems (insomnia);

• tired feeling;

• headache, dizziness;

• loss of appetite, weight loss; or

• changes in behavior, depression, nervousness, or agitation.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect topiramate?

Before taking topiramate, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon);

• atropine (Donnatal, and others);

• benztropine (Cogentin);

• glycopyrrolate (Robinul);

• hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Lopressor, Vasoretic, Zestoretic);

• methscopolamine (Pamine) or scopolamine (Transderm-Scop);

• risperidone (Risperdal);

• bladder or urinary medications such as darifenacin (Enablex), flavoxate (Urispas), oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol), tolterodine (Detrol), or solifenacin (Vesicare);

• bronchodilators such as ipratropium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva);

• diabetes medicine you take by mouth, such as pioglitazone (Actos) or metformin (Actoplus Met, Avandamet, Glucophage, Fortamet);

• glaucoma medications such as acetazolamide (Diamox), methazolamide (Neptazane), or dichlorphenamide (Daranide);

• irritable bowel medications such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin, and others), propantheline (Pro-Banthine); or

• other seizure medications such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), lamotrigine (Lamictal), phenytoin (Dilantin), or valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use topiramate, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect topiramate. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has information about topiramate written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Topiramate is available with a prescription under the brand name Topamax. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medicine, especially if it is new to you.

• Topamax 25 mg--white tablets

• Topamax 100 mg--yellow tablets

• Topamax 200 mg--salmon-colored tablets

• Topamax Sprinkle Capsules 15 mg-clear/white capsules containing small white to off-white spheres

• Topamax Sprinkle Capsules 25 mg-clear/white capsules containing small white to off-white spheres

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ("Multum") is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum"s drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum"s drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.