Topamax Migraine:
Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Read the Medication Guide and, if available, the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking topiramate and each time you get a refill.
Below is information for treating children ages 2 to 9 years. There’s not much evidence that the drug works to treat this condition. Despite this, Topamax may sometimes be used off-label to treat bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder have episodes of depression and mania.
The American Migraine Foundation offers extensive resources to help you explore your symptoms and treatment options. Precisely how topiramate prevents migraine is unclear, but, generally speaking, it appears to reduce the genetically derived brain hyperexcitability try this that provokes migraine attacks in susceptible individuals. The exact way that Topamax works to help prevent migraine attacks isn’t known. It’s believed that Topamax calms overactive nerve cells in the brain that lead to migraine attacks.
You should take Topamax according to your doctor’s or another healthcare professional’s instructions. If your doctor has prescribed Topamax and you’re interested in using topiramate instead, talk with your doctor. They may have a preference for one version or the other.
Lithium (Lithobid) is a medication used for certain psychiatric illnesses, such as bipolar disorder and severe depression. There haven’t been studies via on whether Topamax can cause drug dependence. Topamax can be used on its own to treat partial-onset seizures and generalized tonic-clonic seizures.
Drugwatch.com’s trusted legal partners support the organization’s mission to keep people safe from dangerous drugs and medical devices. Topiramate, the active ingredient in Topamax, is also a main ingredient in the weight-loss drug Qsymia, along with phentermine. A year earlier, the same drug ‘ then called Qnexa ‘ was rejected by the FDA because of the adverse side effect profile of the combination product (eg, birth defects and possible heart problems). Topamax’s manufacturers recommend doctors ‘start low and go slow’ when prescribing Topamax. This means a doctor will likely prescribe a low dose to start and then slowly increase the amount of Topamax a patient takes until reaching the dosage that works best for the patient.
The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Topamax.
Metabolic acidosis can also increase the risk of reduced growth in children. A ketogenic diet is low in carbohydrates and protein, and high in fat. Following a ketogenic diet while you’re taking Topamax could raise your risk for a side effect called metabolic acidosis. Amitriptyline is an antidepressant medication that’s also used for nerve pain and to prevent migraine headaches.
Your dose and titration will be guided by clinical response and tolerability. After 1 week, the dosage may be increased to 25 mg twice daily. After 2 weeks, 25 mg in the morning and 50 mg in the evening is recommended. Aura is a term that refers to symptoms preceding a migraine attack. Migraine with and without aura have different diagnostic criteria and treatment approaches. This is not all the information you need to know about Topamax (topiramate) for safe and effective use.
Nonetheless, topiramate has shown promising results in its effectiveness in treating migraine. Staying active through exercise is an important component, too. One famous study in the journal Cephalalgia found that exercise can be just as effective for prevention as Topamax.
We recommend exploring complementary treatments such as biofeedback, green light therapy and aerobic exercise. Learn how these common therapies can help you manage migraine. read what he said Yawning and fatigue are typical symptoms of prodrome, the first phase of a migraine attack. Other symptoms can include food cravings and difficulty concentrating.
Common side effects were paresthesias, fatigue, nausea, anorexia and weight loss within the first 8 weeks of treatment. Treatment in pediatric migraine (age 6 to 17 years) was proven safe and effective. Assessment of safety in pregnancy requires further investigations and cannot be recommended at this time. Clinical trials have earned topiramate its FDA approval for migraine treatment.