Topamax prescription

Topamax

This page contains drug information on Topamax.
The information provided includes the following:

what is Topamax
the possible side effects of Topamax
what happens if you miss a dose of Topamax
what happens if you overdose with Topamax
the most important information about Topamax
how to use Topamax
other drugs that may affect Topamax
what to avoid while using Topamax

Generic Name: topiramate (oral) (toe PEER ah mate)
Brand Names: Topamax

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

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Seek immediate medical attention if you experience blurred vision, changes in vision, or pain in or around the eyes during treatment with topiramate. These may be early signs of a serious side effect.

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Do not stop taking topiramate without first talking to your doctor, even if your symptoms have improved. It is important to continue taking topiramate to prevent seizures from recurring.

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Carry or wear a medical identification tag to let others know that you are taking topiramate in the case of an emergency.

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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Topiramate may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

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Alcohol should be avoided while taking topiramate. Alcohol may cause increased sedation or drowsiness. It may also increase the risk of having a seizure.

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Unless otherwise directed by your doctor, drink several extra glasses of fluid each day during treatment with topiramate to minimize the risk of side effects such as kidney stone formation and metabolic acidosis (a decrease in a certain electrolyte in the body). Additional fluid may be necessary during hot weather, vigorous exercise, and illness (e.g., fever, vomiting, diarrhea).

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Decreased sweating and high body temperature have been associated with the use of topiramate. These side effects may be dangerous. Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather and during vigorous exercise, monitor sweating, and drink plenty of fluid to maintain hydration. If sweating is decreased or body temperature is elevated, contact your doctor.

What is topiramate?

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The exact way that topiramate works is unknown. However, it is believed that topiramate alters the chemical impulses in the brain that cause seizures.

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Topiramate is used with other medications to control seizures. Topiramate is also used to prevent migraine headaches.

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

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

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Before taking topiramate, tell your doctor if you

have kidney disease or a history of kidney stones;

have liver disease;

have lung or respiratory disease such as asthma, emphysema, or bronchitis; or

need to have surgery.

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You may not be able to take topiramate, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment

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Topiramate is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether topiramate will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or if you could become pregnant during treatment.

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It is not known whether topiramate passes into breast milk. Do not take topiramate without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take topiramate?

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Take topiramate exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

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Take each dose of topiramate with a full glass of water.

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The tablets should be swallowed whole. Due to their bitter taste, the tablets should not be broken.

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The capsules may be swallowed whole or opened to facilitate swallowing. If the capsules are opened, the entire contents of the capsule should be sprinkled onto a small amount (teaspoon) of soft food (e.g., applesauce, custard, ice cream, oatmeal, pudding, yogurt). This drug/ food mixture should be swallowed immediately, without chewing. The mixture should not be stored for future use. If the mixture is combined in a small container, add some water to the container after the dose has been taken, and drink the water to ensure the whole dose has been taken.

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Topiramate can be taken with or without food.

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It is important to take topiramate regularly to get the most benefit.

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Carry or wear a medical identification tag to let others know that you are taking this medicine in the case of an emergency.

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Do not stop taking topiramate without first talking to your doctor, even if your symptoms have improved. It is important to continue taking topiramate to prevent seizures from recurring.

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Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with topiramate to monitor progress and side effects.

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Store topiramate at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

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Seek emergency medical treatment if an overdose is suspected.

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Symptoms of a topiramate overdose are not known but may include severe drowsiness, poor coordination, tremor, confusion, difficulty speaking, and nausea.

What should I avoid while taking topiramate?

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Alcohol should be avoided while taking topiramate. Alcohol may cause increased sedation or drowsiness. It may also increase the risk of having a seizure.

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Ketogenic diets (high protein, very low carbohydrate diets that may induce ketosis) may increase the risk of kidney stone formation and should be avoided during treatment with topiramate.

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Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking topiramate before having any type of surgery.

What are the possible side effects of topiramate?

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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking topiramate and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

worsening of seizures;

metabolic acidosis (a high acidity of the blood that may be detected by blood tests). Symptoms of metabolic acidosis include increased rate of breathing, decreased appetite, and irregular heartbeats;

decreased sweating;

fever or increased body temperature; or

side or low back pain, or painful or difficult urination (may indicate kidney stones).

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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take topiramate and talk to your doctor if you experience

dizziness, poor coordination, sluggishness, or drowsiness;

irregular back-and-forth movements of the eyes;

nausea, decreased appetite, or weight loss;

tremor, numbness, or tingling;

confusion, difficulty concentrating or decreased memory;

speech or language difficulties; or

changes in behavior, depression, nervousness, or agitation.

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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?

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

another seizure medication such as valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene), carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol, Epitol), phenytoin (Dilantin), and others;

a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor such as acetazolamide (Diamox), methazolamide (Neptazane), or dichlorphenamide (Daranide);

metformin (Glucophage, Fortamet); or

digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps).

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You may not be able to take topiramate, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the drugs listed above.

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Topiramate may decrease the effectiveness of certain birth control pills. Talk to your doctor about other birth control options to prevent unintended pregnancy.

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Topiramate may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, pain relievers, sedative (sleep aids), anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Dangerous sedation, dizziness, or drowsiness may occur if topiramate is taken with any of these medications.

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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with topiramate. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

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

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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.

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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.

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