How much weight am i looking at losing on Topamax?

I lost about 30 pounds over a year.  Topomax did not stop my headaches - it made my imitrex tablets work again.  I found the side effect of topomax to be AWFUL.  It negatively affected my memory, my ability to express myself and my personality.  I would go completely blank when I needed to speak in public.  I became quick tempered and generally disagreeable.  Eventually, my doctor took me off topomax and started me on depakote.  Then I gained 40 lbs in about five months.  So I would not advise getting rid of clothes.  You may need them on your way back up to a bigger size in the future.

Morgan,

Weight loss is a POTENTIAL side effect of Topamax. You may or may not lose weight. In the clinical trials of Topamax for Migraine prevention, those who lost weight lost an average of 2.3% of their beginning body weight.

Hope this helps,

Teri

maybe a couple pounds

HI, Some people do and some don't.  I lost about 25, before I stopped taking it.  I had the side effect of feeling like it was way toooo hot all the time, like 200 degrees when it was only 65 outside.  I was standing on the porch.  Was kinda scary, to I quit it, to go back on Neurontin.  Hope this helps, just eat often..

I lost 18 lbs before the other side effects made it impossible to function/think/speak. I personally call Topamax "poison pills" and I don't believe they should be prescribed. My suggestion: do further research on the side effects of this drug. Dianna

i know some people loose weight and some dont... my lawyer lost 50 lbs on it

i have been on topomax for a few years.. i think its great.... it didnt take my migraines away but they arent as often as they used to be.. i dont have any side efects from it...

my neurologist did tell me to make sure that i drink tons of water with it cause it can incrrease risk of kidney stones

I lost nearly 4 dress sizes. 

I don't know if you will lose weight.  My daughter was on Topamax for a year and was up to 400 mg a day and she put weight on.  The doctor told her it was a side effect of the drug.

I haven't.

I guess it depends on how  much Topamax you are taking as well as what other drugs you are taking in combination.  If you are taking Lyrica with Topamax, for instance, you likely won't lose anything.

So, on to your original question.  I'm a male, 49 years old and when I got on Topamax and my doc cranked up the dosage to about 400 mg I lost about 15 lbs if I remember correctly.  I was mostly due to Topamax changing the TASTE of most of the foods I was eating.  I just didn't want to eat them any more so watch out for that.  Eating simply wasn't a pleasurable experience for me. 

I have heard that.  I hope that's not why you want to take the medicine.

I lost about 10 pounds.  I've been on and off Topamax three times, and each time it has been the same.  When I would go off, I'd gain the 10 pounds back.  My normal "off Topamax" weight seems to be 155 pounds.  My "on Topamax" weight seems to be 145 pounds, and if I'm hitting the gym while on Topamax, I can get down to 140 pounds.

I didn't see a really great change in my headaches until after I joined this group, and read a lot more about rebound headaches.  I'd always known about them, but I never took them that seriously.  Well, I finally did, and spent two very painful weeks getting off all the OTCs I was taking.  (I'd stopped taking prescription painpills a while ago.  I have fibromyalgia, and it just doesn't make sense to take prescription painkillers when you know you have a life-long chronic pain disease.)

I'd read on this board that OTCs can stop your preventative med (like Topamax) from working properly, thereby making your migraines worse.

So, I decided to give it a go.

It was REALLY uncomfortable for two weeks while my body withdrew from all the Tylenol, Aleve, Sudafed, Ibuprofen, etc., I chugged everyday when my head hurt.  But, I stayed home as much as I could, and put hot "rice packs" (made out of tube socks filled with rice) on the back of my head.  My husband and son stayed out of my way as much as possible as I was unpleasant to be around, (to say the least.)

Things got better after two weeks.  My Topamax started to WORK.  My headaches DID get much better, and for the first time I think I saw the full effects of Topamax.

I mean, the medication always made me stupid, like it does everyone, (Dopamax.)  But, I've always been able to compensate for that.  I am a writer by profession, and I've always been able to continue freelance writing, even with the Topamax side effects.  Last year I completed a HUGE project for my son's school, (Distinguished Schools, and yes, we won), even while on Topamax.  OK, freelance is putting it politely.  I did that whole huge honkin' project for free. Whatever. I got it done, and had to pull a lot of all-nighters to do it.  

The point is yes, the medication has a boatload of side effects and many people cannot tolerate it.  I can.  I've gone off it in the past because I always wanted to know if I was BETTER and did not need it anymore.  My goal has always been to get off ALL medications, even if it meant getting kind of fat again.  And, the only way I would know if I was better, was to stop taking the meds.  So far, no luck.  The migraines always came back.  But, one day, maybe, I can be fat and med-free again.

This year I did do something else different, too.  I take Guai for fibro, which I have for four years, but this year, I combined it with Iodoral.  Iodoral is an old remedy, (in the liquid form it is known as "Lugol's Solution."  Been around since the 1800s.)  Anyway, after a couple of months on Iodoral, (which is simply an Iodine/Potassium supplement), my body started passing worms.  Yeah, gross, I know.  So, OK, I used to travel a lot to foreign countries on business, I figured, OK, I picked up a few parasites along the way.  So, did a bit of online research and decided to take a 30-day something or other to get rid of them.  Whoa!  I was shocked at the number of oogey things that left my system.  I won't say anymore than that, as I don't want to be gross.  But, I will say that my headaches got even better after that, my constant stomach aches improved, (but, are not gone fully,) and my stomach no longer bloats so much.  (It still does bloat if I eat wheat/gluten, so I just don't eat it.)  I am going to do another "get rid of parasite" thingie in 90 days.  (You have to wait 90 days in-between, as I don't think I got them all.)  I lost another 6 pounds when I got rid of all those critters, and the gunk that came out with them.  Better out than being in my system.  Not surprised I feel better with them OUT of my system.  My skin looks better, too.  Weird to think I was carrying worms around this whole time.  Also weird how we de-worm our cats and dogs every month but not ourselves?  My husband said when he lived in the Philippines growing up de-worming humans, as well as animals was common practice, and he always wondered why it is not common practice in U.S.?  (Apparently, it used to be, that's what the "Castor Oil" that our grandparents used to take was all about.  These days folks use different stuff because castor oil has a most unpleasant taste, and may not get 'em all.)

Anyway, that's my story.  Hope I didn't gross anyone out. - Diana

When I started on Topamax I lost over 15lbs and had to monitor my weight per my doctor.  I found that the key is even though you don't feel hungry to get in the habit of having a snack every couple of hours. Make sure it is a nutritious snack. I call it grazing. I still have to eat dinner with my husband, but it is smaller portions that are easier to deal with because of no hunger thing.  Hope this helps and hope Topamax helps your headaches.

Don't recall weight issues, however, I got a kidney stone from Topamax.  I am doing so poorly again and had no success with so many drugs that my doctor is talking about trying the topamax again.  This time he would work with a urologist to change the pH of my urine to (hopefully) prevent kidney stones.  I am scared to death by this but don't know what else to do.  I am not sure I can walk around worrying about another kidney stone and I am not sure if I can go on like this with migraines all the time.  Now possibly from meds + an antibiotic that put me over the edge I am having severe stomach problems too.  So many complicated health issues that is ruining my life and that of my family.  It is so hard.  And that people don't understand.  I've been in the hospital because I can't let the migraines go due to previous stroke and increased risk of stroke with prolonged migraine.  And, while there have had nurses make reference to "drug seekers".  Now am also schedule for second occiptal nerve block as first did not work.  I don't know what to do anymore.

I have been on Topamax 2 seperate times, each time with seperate results. I noticed  that if you are more active, you lose more. The first time I was on it was 3 years ago and I was heavy and active and I lost 94 pounds in the 8 months I took Topamax. I should note that I was trying to lose weight so had a regular excersize and diet routine. I stopped taking the drug when it stopped preventing my migraines. Now i am trying Topamax again and it seems to be working. I am not dieting or excersizing this time and have lost 7 pounds in a month and a half. The weight loss is different for everyone, my sister was on it for 2 years and only lost 10 pounds in the first few months, she was also much more fit than I was, I don't know if that factors in or not. Good luck

I gained weight.

Welcome to the site. I am new to it as well.  I have taken Topamax in the past and took it for about 4 months and had to go off of it due to concentration issues.  I could not hold a thought to save my life and when you run your own bussiness and have 2 kids this does not work too well.  I did not experience any weight loss while using it, but have heard that that was one of the side effects.  I have heard it being call the "Stupermodel drug", because you get model thin and stupid.  I hope you don't experience the stupid part.  Good Luck!

I did at first, then I had to start another drug and now I have gained wt.

I am also on topamax and have always had problem with my weight...not to much but to little. The first 3 months were hard and I didn't eat much and lost quite a bit, but it has tapered off quite a bit now and my appitite is beginning to come back slowly. The average person....average weight and height may only see a few lbs lost the first few months and then start to go back to the way they were. If you really want to lose weight in a healthy way you should eat more small meals throughout the day and exercise, unfortunately the side effects causes you to not want to eat and your metabolism with slow down to a slugs pace by the 3rd month.

I hope this helps with your question.

L Rodriguez

I am also on topamax and have always had problem with my weight...not to much but to little. The first 3 months were hard and I didn't eat much and lost quite a bit, but it has tapered off quite a bit now and my appitite is beginning to come back slowly. The average person....average weight and height may only see a few lbs lost the first few months and then start to go back to the way they were. If you really want to lose weight in a healthy way you should eat more small meals throughout the day and exercise, unfortunately the side effects causes you to not want to eat and your metabolism with slow down to a slugs pace by the 3rd month.

I hope this helps with your question.

L Rodriguez

If I remember correctly I lost about 12 pounds in three months, while taking Topamax.  But I had awful side effects, and never saw improvement with my Migraines.

I have been taking topamax for over 2 years and I haven't lost any weight.  I certainly wish I would have dropped a few pounds.  I heard this was a "possible" side effect.  One thing for certain is I do not experience migraines as often as I was & if I do get one it is total managable with over the counter stuff.

All I can say from personal experience, my two courses of Topamax, thankfully, began my weight loss. i probably lost about 15-20 lbs. Other factors contributed to my continued weight loss, having now dropped about 70-75 lbs (245 to 175 or less).

I wouldn't worry to much about dropping THAT much weight, but, i think it will begin a slow drop, but should stabilize.

For me, it was nice to have all my clothes fit, but, now, I'm at the other extreme, nothing fits, as everything is much too big.

Good luck 

I want to know the answer to this. I'm interested in controlling my migraines and also losing weight.

It varies widely from person to person, but I went from nearly 160 to about 132 (on a 5'2" frame). I'd put on about 15 pounds on a previous preventive regimen, so I can't say it was entirely unwelcome, but I think I'm at the extreme end of the weight loss spectrum with Topamax. Just make sure you're getting your vitamins and try to eat healthy food, even if you're not eating very much.

My 11 year old has been on Topamax since Feb. At his last dr. appt he has lost 5 pounds but he has also grown a couple of inches so that probably translates into a larger weight loss. I was told by his neurologist that it would eventually taper off.

I've been on and off Topamax for about a year.  It kind of depends on my dosage.  When I go over 100, I lose more.  But the more I take, the worse the side effects are.  I stopped at about 100 mg per day and stopped my weight loss at 20 pounds.  A friend of mine was on about 250 mg per day and lost 40 pounds before she stopped losing. 

I lost some weight on Topomax, but could not tolerate the side effects. I had increased heart rates, lightheaded, shortness of breath, sweaty palms.  Very scary.

I have been taking 200 mg Topamax daily since December 2007 for severe migraine.  I have lost approximately 50 pounds since starting on this medication.  Fortunately, I can afford to lose this weight and have no problems doing so.  Hopefully you will not lose your appetite.

Hi!  I've lost a total of 82 lbs. over the course of 14 months and I really needed to lose the weight.  I had to work toward the loss at the beginning (say the 1st month) but after that I simply had no appetite.  

However, it has now gotten to the point that I have to really watch that don't lose any more.  I struggle to make certain that I eat enough to maintain my weight and I know that if I don't I won't be able to continue the Topamax.  

I've also had a lot of hair loss, which is either due to the Topamax or some sort of nutritional imbalance.  I'm seeking answers for that problem if anyone else is experiencing similar effects I would like to hear about it...

You may lose some in the beginning but eventually you'll stop and just maintain your weight. Just remember to eat. I know somedays I get busy and totally forget to eat a meal or two which is not good. It really depends on you and what you do as far as eating. I've been on topomax for two years now and had lost weight but now I'm staying the same.

When I first started taking it I lost about 15 pounds.  It was gradual. But two years later, I've gained it all back and then some.

I know one lady who took for another reason beside migraines. She was on a high dose and lost a lot of weight.

I guess it has a lot to do with individual- if taking other meds, their own personal metabolism. And too - how much you stand to lose. But weight loss is a main side effect of Topamax. I am just getting started with it too. I can tell it is cutting into me eating excess- like late at night is when is get the munchies. I just don't want the late night food now. We'll see what happens.

it depends on it you are on other drugs you are on. i am on topamax, lithium, luvox, abiliphy and xanax. i take imitrix when needed. i GAINED 45 lbs. so don't think of topamax as your wonder drug to loss weight. diet and exercise are always the way to go always consulting your doctor first. good luck.     dawn

Well, I happened to have just started working out and walking alot more (a getting healthy contest at work) when I started Topamax. And I think it was around March so the weather was getting warmer and my mood was getting better anyways (and there were far less reasons to eat - ie, Halloween, T-giving, Christmas, Valentines, Easter candy...... can you tell I'm a sucker for sweets?) SO, I lost about 15-20 lbs over 2-3 months maybe. And I needed to.

BUT, now I'm on 300mg and I eat like a horse again, though healthier. I've been on it about 3 1/2 yrs or so and that food effect has totally gone away. Fortuanately, at a recent visit when my doc and I discussed adding another med, I emphasized that while I may be "thin" as he said (uh, I'm a comfortable size 8-10), I convinced him to not add a med that is known to cause weight gain. I still walk daily (though I pay for the gym I rarely go and just need to drop that membership) and since we're having another contest at work, I've even been doing some pushups and ugghh, situps. So maybe I'll lose that 5 lbs that have crept back on.

BTW, though you didn't specifically ask, I've been lucky - just a little tingling and fuzzy headed at the beginning. No side effects now. It's really cut back the severity of my HA. Now I'm working on CDH and morning HA (maybe caused by teeth grinding and even though I've used various night guards, the grinding is still there). Always a work in progress.....

Diane

Yeah, you'll lose weight because the taste of food becomes almost revolting. I lost about 20lbs. Now add to that likely depression(more weight loss) and I even had nightmares so bad that I couldn't go back to sleep, causing sleep deprivation.

I suggest you go back and talk to your doctor about the other, unpublicized side effects.

Depends on how well you avoid the side effects and can stay on it. Personally, I had severe problems with cognitive functioning and with balance. I've seen it referred to as "stupimax"  due to this.  I sure do hope it works out better for you!

I lost (and still losing) 30 lbs in 3 months. Went from 136 lbs to 105 lbs.  Be prewarned you might stiffen up in the neck and jaw, get confused really easy and can't drink sodas or fizzy drinks .  But I eat like crazy, the trick is to eat healthy when you  do eat, to keep healthy.  My doc has me drinking poweraide and walking 20/30 min a day.  The little bit of exercise counters the stiffness that the topamax causes..... especially when they increase the dosage, its a little (some days it could be miles rather than mins) but it really helps.

I hope this helps.

I lost about 5-6 pounds then things leveled off. But for me, I also became pretty stupid, that is, real problems with short-term memory and organizational ability (mentally). Since I am an elementary teacher, it caused big concerns, and I didn't realize the cause, as it seemed to creep up pretty gradually. When my neurologist asked me why I stayed on it so long (2+yrs), I told him I had lost my edge to discern and make decisions.  Not everyone has the difficulty, but the fine print and research does mention some 'cognitive issues'. I'd rather be soft than stupid.

M

I am currently on 100 mg of topamax a day and haven't lost any weight. I was hoping I would.  When I first started taking topamax, I had the side effects of nausea, so I needed to nibble on crackers (felt like morning sickness all over again).  Luckily that passed after the first couple of weeks.  So hang in there, the topamax is WAY better then the 3 - 4 migraines a week I was getting.  I hope you get the same great results. 

I've been on Topamax and lost about 10 pounds. My taste buds are very sensitive. I have heard that others have had to go off of it because they lost too much weight. I haven't had that experience. I do have lots of other side effects such as forgetfulness, concentration and I think my hair and nails are thinning. I can't go over 75mg or else I lose my mind.

I hope that helps.

I think it depends on what your dose is. I lost about 20 pounds when I was on Topomax at 200 mg twice a day (the first time). I had to stop taking such a high dose though because it gave me kidney stones. After a year I went back on it and I am at 100 mg twice a day and I lost maybe 5 pounds at most. The most important thing about Topomax is to stay well hydrated. Drink lots and lots of water and try to stay away from iced tea and ice cream. That is what triggered the kidney stones in my case.

i've been taking Topomax for almost a year now and haven't noticed ANY weight loss, so i'm not sure why you think you'll lose weight.

I was on Topomax for three months. During the last month I lost most of my desire for food, even coffee, which I love...

I lost over 6 pounds on Topomax and became anorexic. First time in my life, and, there was little relief for the headaches. I was tired all the time.

My brother had been on it one year, and then experienced his first kidney stone attack, and he quit Topomax altogether, as kidney stones are a side effect and he nearly passed out from the pain of it.

He is now on Namenda, an altzheimer drug. Very mild, few, if any side effects, and he finds it as effective as Topomax was.

Hi Morgan, my experience with Topamax as it relates to weight loss was fenominal.  I lost almost 50 lbs. within a 6-9 month span. 

Initially when I began Topomax 3 years ago, I lost about 12 pounds over a 3 month period. I was down to about 112 from 124. 

However as my body became used to the drug, I gained a few pounds back and am maintaining my weight at 118 pounds (normal for my height of 5'2) more than contining to loose it.

Hope this helps!

Becky

By the way it helped with my headaches at first but then was short lived.  It then made me iratable, affected my memory it then became awful.  I found it good for the short term.

I was on Topamax for 6 months and I didnt lose Any weight, it just made me feel like crap. I had nightmares, carbonated drinks tasted horrible, I just felt like a walking zombie. 

I've lost about 10 lbs on Topamax, but that is not typical of everyone.  Everyone's body is different, so you may experience more or less.  Just be sure to drink a lot of water to reduce your risk of kidney stones.  Also take it the same time everyday.

From my experience it depends on the amount you take.  Serveral years ago I took 400 a day and lost 35 pounds (weight I had gained from other meds I had since stopped)...BUT the problem was I couldn't eat -nothing looked good although I was very hungry.  I also had severly abnormal thinking.  I did not realize it was the meds at first-I thought my symptoms were due to my Mom being diagnoised with severe dementia and I was unable to deal with it.  As soon as I decreased to 100 day my psych. symptoms stopped-it took a while to regain my desire to eat.  Of course, you or anyone else may not have any of these symtoms.  I will tell you as I lost weight the feeling of the not needing food became painful and I couldn't sleep because I was so hungry-obviously I was taking much more med than I needed but only you and your doctor can decide that.  Although I had initial problems, Topamax has been the best thing for my migraines.  Only you and your doctor know what is best for you.

I've been on Topamax for over 6 months and so far i've lost over 46 pounds. I have little or no appatite. Hope that answers your question.

I have been on Topamax for two years now and found that i have gained weight over those two years. I havent changed my eating habits from before i eat healthy and excerise all so i dont get a migraine. I sure do love my topamax once i got though all the side effects.

I personally did not lose any weight on Topamax. Nor did I gain as I did with other drugs.

I am on it and those feeling of not wanting to eat will go away.  I lost about 10 pounds and that was all.

If you are not overweight, then you should not really lose too much weight at all.  I am on 50 mg. of Topamax bid, ht. 5'6", wt.. 102 lbs.  I did not lose any weight.

As one eats less, your metabolism slows down over time.

You can always snack on a piece of fruit or have some yogurt to keep your calorie intake up.

Sorry that I have seen this question a bit late, but I haven't been into the site in a while.

how soon will i start losing weight and how much do you normally lose

I've lost about 30 lbs, most of that was the during the first year on only 50mg.  Now I'm up to 150mg and into my 3rd yr but I seem to be holding that weight.  Some of that was just dropping extra weight from being on another medicine.  Topamax did mess with my memory, my words and my blood pressure when I first started on it.  Now I've found out that I also have fibromyolgia--which has fibro fog to deal with and explains my other memory problems.  I've was put on Topamax actually for polyneuropothy (jabbing pains all over).  The extra benefit that it would help my migraines and have a side effect of losing weight was just bonus package.  If I actually get down to my original healthy weight of 145 again (another 20 lbs.), then I'll start to worry about losing any more weight.  I do dislike how somethings taste, especially my sodas.  I've found that diet lime coke is the only one that taste good.  Something about the lime or lemon added to soda or water helps take the metallic taste out.

Although, I do have a friend who had severe hallucinations (waking dreams) that made it completely impossible for her to stay on Topamax.  So be alert to your body and what is going on for you!  Good Luck and take care.