Table of contents:
- What Drug Topiramate?
- What is topiramate for?
- How do I use topiramate?
- How is topiramate stored?
- Topiramate dosage
- What is the topiramate dosage for adults?
- What is the topiramate dosage for children?
- In what dosage is topiramate available?
- Topiramate side effects
- What side effects can be experienced due to topiramate?
- Topiramate Drug Warnings and Cautions
- What should be known before using topiramate?
- Is topiramate safe for pregnant and lactating women?
- Topiramate Drug Interactions
- What medicines may interact with topiramate?
- Can food or alcohol interact with topiramate?
- What health conditions can interact with topiramate?
- Topiramate overdose
- What should I do in an emergency or overdose?
- What should I do if I miss a dose?
What Drug Topiramate?
What is topiramate for?
Topiramate is a drug that is used alone or with other drugs to prevent and control seizures (epilepsy). This medication is also used to prevent migraine headaches and decrease the intensity you experience them. Topiramate will not treat migraines if it is used when a migraine occurs. If you have migraine headaches, treat them as directed by your doctor (eg by using painkillers, lying in a dark room).
Topiramate is known as an anticonvulsant or antiepileptic drug.
How do I use topiramate?
Read the Medication Guide and Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking topiramate and each time you get a refill. If you have questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually twice daily. Swallow the whole tablet as otherwise it may leave a bitter taste. To prevent kidney stone formation, drink plenty of water while taking this medicine unless your doctor has instructed you otherwise.
Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. For children, dosage is also based on body weight. Your doctor will gradually increase your dose to reduce the risk of side effects. For some conditions, you can start treatment with topiramate once daily at bedtime and slowly increase the dose to twice daily. This medication may take several weeks or months to reach the best dose for you and to get the full benefit from this medication.
Use this remedy regularly to get its benefits. To help you remember, use it at the same time every day. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions can get worse when the use of this drug is suddenly stopped. your dose may need to be decreased gradually.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse.
Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
How is topiramate stored?
This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.
Topiramate dosage
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.
What is the topiramate dosage for adults?
Maintenance dose: 50 mg orally 2 times a day, morning and evening.
Titration for 100 mg:
- week 1: 25 mg orally once a day at night
- week 2: 25 mg orally 2 times a day, morning and evening
- week 3: 25 mg orally in the morning and 50 mg orally in the evening
- week 4: 50 mg orally in the morning and 50 mg orally in the evening
Use at longer intervals between dose adjustments can be used as needed.
What is the topiramate dosage for children?
For seizures (used with other drugs):
Children 2 years of age and older: At first, 25 milligrams (mg) once a day at night. The doctor may adjust the dosage as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 5 to 9 mg per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day.
Children younger than 2 years of age - use is not recommended.
For seizures (used without other drugs):
Children younger than 10 years: use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For migraine headaches:
Children younger than 12 years of age: use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
In what dosage is topiramate available?
25 mg capsules; 50 mg; 100 mg; 150 mg; 200 mg
Topiramate side effects
What side effects can be experienced due to topiramate?
Fatigue, drowsiness, dizziness, loss of coordination, tingling hands / feet, loss of appetite, bad taste in mouth, diarrhea, and weight loss may occur. Mental problems such as confusion, slow thinking, trouble concentrating or paying attention, nervousness, memory problems, or speech problems can also occur. If any of these effects persist or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist right away.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefits to you outweigh the risk of side effects. Many people using this drug do not experience serious side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if any of the unlikely but serious side effects occur such as: signs of kidney stones (such as pain in the back / side / stomach / groin, fever, chills, pain / frequent urination, bloody / pink urine) .
A small number of people who take anticonvulsants for any condition (such as seizures, bipolar disorder, pain) may experience depression, suicidal thoughts / attempts, or other mental / mood problems. Tell your doctor right away if you or your family / caregiver notice any unusual / sudden changes in your mood, thoughts, or behavior including signs of depression, suicidal thoughts / attempts, thoughts about harming yourself.
Tell your doctor right away if any of the rare but serious side effects occur: rapid breathing, fast / slow / irregular heartbeat, bone pain, fracture, loss of consciousness.
Topiramate is rare but may cause very serious eye problems, however, this condition can occur generally within 1 month of starting treatment. If left untreated, this eye problem can lead to permanent blindness. Therefore, get medical help right away if any of the following side effects occur: sudden vision changes (such as reduced vision, blurred vision), eye pain / redness.
This medication is rare but may cause serious metabolic problems (high amounts of ammonia in the blood), especially if you are also taking valproic acid. Tell your doctor right away if you experience sudden unexplained fatigue, vomiting, or mental changes (such as decreased alertness).
Very serious allergic reactions to this drug are rare. However, get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching / swelling (especially face / tongue / throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Topiramate Drug Warnings and Cautions
What should be known before using topiramate?
In deciding to use a drug, the risks of using the drug must be weighed against its benefits. It is up to you and your doctor. For topiramate, the following should be considered:
Allergy
Tell your doctor if you have had any unusual or allergic reactions to topiramate or other medicines. Also, tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package of ingredients carefully.
Children
Exact studies have not been done on the relationship of age to the effects of topiramate capsules or tablets, or Qudexy ™ extended use capsules for the treatment of seizures in children younger than 2 years (when used alone or in combination with other medicines). Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Exact studies have not been conducted on the relationship of age to the effects of Trokendi ™ capsules for extended use for the treatment of seizures in children younger than 6 years.
Appropriate studies have not been conducted on the relationship of age to the effects of topiramate capsules or tablets for the prevention of migraine headaches in children younger than 12 years. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Elderly
Although appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of topiramate have not been carried out in the elderly population, special concerns in the elderly are not expected to limit the use of topiramate in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving topiramate.
Is topiramate safe for pregnant and lactating women?
There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category D according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:
- A = No risk,
- B = not at risk in several studies,
- C = May be risky,
- D = There is positive evidence of risk,
- X = Contraindicated,
- N = Unknown
Topiramate Drug Interactions
What medicines may interact with topiramate?
Although certain drugs should not be used simultaneously, in other cases two different drugs can be used together even if interactions are possible. In this case, your doctor may want to change the dose, or take other precautions that may be needed. Tell your health care professional if you are taking prescription drugs or other drugs on the market.
Using this medication with any of the following medicines is not usually recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or change how often you use one or both drugs.
- Buprenorphine
- Carbinoxamine
- Citalopram
- Clozapine
- Cobicistat
- Elvitegravir
- Fentanyl
- Hydrocodone
- Ketorolac
- Morphine
- Morphine Sulfate Liposome
- Nifedipine
- Orlistat
- Oxycodone
- Oxymorphone
- Piperaquine
- Sodium Oxybate
- Suvorexant
- Tapentadol
Using this medication with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or change how often you use one or both drugs.
- Amitriptyline
- Carbamazepine
- Desogestrel
- Dienogest
- Drospirenone
- Estradiol Cypionate
- Estradiol Valerate
- Ethinyl Estradiol
- Ethynodiol Diacetate
- Etonogestrel
- Fosphenytoin
- Ginkgo
- Hydrochlorothiazide
- Levonorgestrel
- Medroxyprogesterone Acetate
- Mestranol
- Norelgestromin
- Norethindrone
- Norgestimate
- Norgestrel
- Phenobarbital
- Phenytoin
- Pioglitazone
- Posaconazole
- Valproic Acid
Can food or alcohol interact with topiramate?
Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.
What health conditions can interact with topiramate?
The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems .:
- depression, history
- eye or vision problems (for example, glaucoma)
- mood disorders, history or
- metabolic acidosis (too much acid in the blood), or history
- osteoporosis (weak bones) - use with caution. It might make things worse
- diarrhea
- lung problems or breathing problems
- patients on a ketogenic diet - may increase the risk of metabolic acidosis
- Kidney illness
- liver disease - use with caution. Side effects may increase due to the slower clearance of the drug from the body
- patients with metabolic acidosis who are also taking metformin - should not be used in patients with this condition
Topiramate overdose
What should I do in an emergency or overdose?
In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Overdose symptoms may include:
- seizures
- drowsiness
- speech problems
- blurred vision
- double vision
- difficulty thinking
- fatigue
- lose coordination
- lost consciousness
- dizzy
- stomach ache
- gag
- agitation
- depression
- loss of appetite
- pounding heartbeat or irregular heartbeat
- rapid breathing or shallow breathing
What should I do if I miss a dose?
If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
