If you start to experience rapid breathing, confusion, extreme tiredness, and an increased heart rate while taking Topamax, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible because these are signs that you may have metabolic acidosis. In an observational study done by the National Library of Medicine , discontinuation of Topamax for at least six months showed a trend for returning to a baseline weight.
So people may be more likely to return to what they weighed before they started taking Topamax, but this may take some time. This return to a baseline weight may happen because the body is no longer experiencing a reduced appetite and faster metabolism. Lifestyle changes can help you lose weight and keep it off so that you can enjoy the benefits of weight loss without taking Topamax, while taking it, or after taking it.
Here are some of the safest ways to lose weight. Eating healthy is one of the safest and best ways to lose weight. For the best advice on what to eat to lose weight you should talk with your doctor, but making some small changes like eating more fruits and vegetables can be a great way to start. Processed foods, refined carbohydrates, sugar, and alcohol are all examples of foods that can cause weight gain. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and high-quality proteins like salmon, beans, and eggs are all great examples of foods that the body can easily process and get vital nutrients from.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC , exercise not only helps control weight, but it reduces high blood pressure, reduces the risk of Type 2 diabetes, and can even reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Some great exercises for weight loss include walking, biking, swimming, and weight training.
Stress is linked to many health problems such as anxiety and depression. Feeling stressed can lead to emotional eating, which can lead to weight gain over time. Finding ways to reduce stress may help you lose weight. You might try meditating, yoga, going for walks, or calling a friend or family member. During a migraine attack, sometimes the only thing you can do is make yourself as comfortable as possible while you ride out the neurological storm.
Avoiding food items that commonly trigger migraine attacks may help you lower your own risk of experiencing migraine symptoms. Here's a look at 10…. In , the FDA approved Botox as a treatment for chronic migraine. Get more information about how Botox is used to treat migraine. If you're suffering from pain in the head, you may be suffering from a primary or secondary headache, or a migraine. Discover basic differences. Heading into the holidays with migraine can feel incredibly daunting.
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Persistent migraine headaches in particular can have a big effect on…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Topamax for Migraine Prevention. In addition, Topamax affects two neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitters are natural body chemicals that help pass signals between nerve cells. These neurotransmitters are called gamma-aminobutyric acid GABA and glutamate. The neurotransmitters also help pass signals between nerve cells and other cells in your body. GABA reduces nerve signaling, causing fewer signals to be sent. Glutamate stimulates nerve signaling, causing more signals to be sent.
Topamax increases the effect of GABA and blocks the effect of glutamate. This helps calm nerve activity in your brain. The actions of Topamax help prevent the nerve cells in your brain from sending inappropriate signals that lead to seizures or migraine. Topamax starts working within a couple of hours after you start taking it. However, when you start treatment, your dose is increased slowly over a few weeks. Therefore, it may take a few weeks before the medication level builds up enough for you to notice your seizures or migraine easing.
Using more than the recommended dosage of Topamax can lead to serious side effects. Do not use more Topamax than your doctor recommends. You can also call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at or use their online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room right away. Topamax can harm a fetus if taken during pregnancy. Babies who are SGA can have a lower birth weight, length, and head size than expected.
Babies are more likely to be SGA when born to females who took a high dose of Topamax or took Topamax throughout their pregnancy. Pregnancy studies in the United States looked at babies who were exposed to topiramate the active ingredient in Topamax in the first 3 months of pregnancy. The studies showed that 1. In comparison, oral clefts occurred in 0.
These studies also showed that, in the U. In comparison, 5. Other medications may be more suitable for you. This registry monitors and records birth defects or changes affecting babies of females who took antiepileptic drugs , such as Topamax, while pregnant. The registry helps healthcare professionals collect information about the safety of drugs such as Topamax during pregnancy.
This can help you make informed decisions about the treatments you take during pregnancy. You can register by visiting the program website or calling Note: Sex and gender exist on spectrums.
Females using Topamax should use an effective method of birth control to help prevent pregnancy. However, Topamax can make birth control drugs that contain estrogen less effective at preventing pregnancy. If you use birth control that contains estrogen , your doctor may recommend switching to a different type of contraception.
If you have questions about your birth control needs, talk with your doctor. Topamax can pass into breast milk. Sleepiness and diarrhea have been reported in children breastfed by females taking Topamax. Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. Some may be a better fit for you than others. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you. Note: Some of the drugs listed here are used off-label to treat these specific conditions.
Examples of other drugs that may be used to prevent migraine headaches include:. Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat seizures include:. As with all medications, the cost of Topamax can vary. To find current prices for Topamax tablets or other forms in your area, check out GoodRx. The cost you find on GoodRx. Before approving coverage for Topamax, your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization.
This means that your doctor and insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the drug. The insurance company will review the prior authorization request and decide if the drug will be covered. If you need financial support to pay for Topamax, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Topamax is available in a generic form called topiramate. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs. To find out how the cost of topiramate compares to the cost of Topamax, visit GoodRx.
They may have a preference for one version or the other. Topamax comes in two different forms: a tablet that you swallow and a sprinkle capsule. The capsule can be swallowed whole or opened to sprinkle on a spoonful of soft food and swallowed. Some people may take Topamax once every evening for the first week of treatment. After this, most people will usually take Topamax twice per day.
The best time of day to take Topamax is once every morning and once every evening. Try to take your dose at roughly the same time or times each day.
You should not crush, split, or chew Topamax tablets, as they have a very bitter taste. These tablets should be swallowed whole. If you take Topamax sprinkle capsules, you should swallow them whole. But if you have trouble swallowing them, you can split them open. Before taking Topamax, talk with your doctor about your health history.
There are no contraindications to Topamax. Contraindications are conditions or factors that would prevent you from taking the medication. But Topamax may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Depression or suicidal thoughts. Topamax is a type of drug called an anticonvulsant. Like all anticonvulsant drugs,Topamax can raise your risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Topamax can sometimes cause secondary closed-angle glaucoma sudden increase in the pressure in your eye. If you have glaucoma , or have had glaucoma in the past, talk with your doctor about whether Topamax is right for you. Lung or breathing problems. Topamax can sometimes cause a side effect called metabolic acidosis , which is a high level of acid in your blood.
Severe lung or breathing problems, such as COPD or asthma, can also increase the level of acid in your blood. If you have lung or breathing problems, you could have a raised risk for metabolic acidosis with Topamax.
Talk with your doctor about whether Topamax is right for you. If you take Topamax, you may need extra blood tests during treatment to check that the level of acid in your blood is safe. Kidney disease. Kidney disease can also increase the level of acid in your blood. If you have kidney disease, you could have a raised risk for metabolic acidosis and kidney stones with Topamax. If you take Topamax, you may need extra blood tests during treatment.
This is to check that the level of acid in your blood is safe. You may also take a lower than usual dose of Topamax. Ketogenic diet. A ketogenic diet can increase the level of acid in your blood. Topamax can also increase the level of acid in your blood.
If you follow a ketogenic diet, you could have a raised risk for metabolic acidosis a high level of acid in your blood with Topamax. This type of diet is not usually recommended with Topamax. Talk with your doctor if you want to follow a ketogenic diet while you take Topamax. You may need extra blood tests to check that the level of acid in your blood is safe. If you have frequent or uncontrolled diarrhea , this can increase the level of acid in your blood. If you have diarrhea while taking Topamax, you could have a raised risk for metabolic acidosis a high level of acid in your blood.
Weak, soft, or brittle bones. If this condition goes untreated, it can lead to osteoporosis or osteomalacia. These conditions raise your risk for fractures. If you already have weak, soft, or brittle bones, you could be at higher risk for developing these conditions. You may also have bone scans to monitor your bone density. Liver problems. If you have liver problems , you may have a raised risk for a side effect called hyperammonemia a high level of ammonia in your blood with Topamax.
If you have liver problems, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis , talk with your doctor about whether Topamax is right for you. Allergic reaction. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you. Topamax can harm a developing fetus. Topamax can pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in a breastfed child.
When you get Topamax from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the bottle. This date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication. The expiration date helps guarantee that the medication is effective during this time. If you have unused medication that has gone past the expiration date, talk to your pharmacist about whether you might still be able to use it.
How long a medication remains good can depend on many factors, including how and where you store the medication.
Avoid storing this medication in areas where it could get damp or wet, such as bathrooms. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident.
It also helps keep the drug from harming the environment. This article provides several useful tips on medication disposal. You can also ask your pharmacist for information about how to dispose of your medication. Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional.
This information contains a summary of important points and is not an exhaustive review of information about the medication. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding medications or medical conditions. Never delay seeking professional medical advice or disregard medical professional advice as a result of any information provided herein. The College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists disclaims any and all liability alleged as a result of the information provided herein.
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