· 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.
· Alcohol should be avoided while taking topiramate. Alcohol may cause increased sedation or drowsiness. It may also increase the risk of having a seizure.
· Drink several extra glasses of fluid each day during treatment with topiramate to minimize the risk of kidney stone formation. Additional fluid may be necessary during hot weather, vigorous exercise, and illness.
· 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.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding:
- FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether topiramate will harm 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.
- 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.
Other medical conditions:
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of topiramate. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially those listed below or if you are planning to have surgery.
- Diarrhea
- Fatty diet
- Severe Lung Problems
- Kidney problems or other kidney problems
- Liver problems
- Status epilepticus
Other medications:
Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medications, especially:
- Acetazolamide (Diamox)
- Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
- Dichlorphenamide (Daranide)
- Oral contraceptives
- Phenytoin (Dilantin)
- Valproic acid (Depakene, Depakote)
Potential Side Effects of Topamax:
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- More common:
- any vision problems, especially blurred vision, double vision, eye pain, rapidly decreasing vision, eye redness, increased eye pressure
- burning, prickling, or tingling sensations
- clumsiness or unsteadiness
- confusion
- continuous, uncontrolled back-and-forth or rolling eye movements
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- generalized slowing of mental and physical activity
- memory problems
- menstrual changes or pain
- nervousness
- speech or language problems
- trouble in concentrating or paying attention
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- Less common:
- abdominal pain
- fever, chills, or sore throat
- lessening of sensations or perception
- loss of appetite
- mood or mental changes including aggression, agitation, apathy, irritability, and mental depression
- red, irritated, or bleeding gums
- weight loss
- Rare:
- blood in urine
- decrease in sexual performance or desire
- difficult or painful urination
- eye pain
- frequent urination
- hearing loss
- itching
- loss of bladder control
- lower back or side pain
- nosebleeds; pale skin
- red or irritated eyes
- ringing or buzzing in ears
- skin rash
- swelling
- troubled breathing
These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
- More common:
- breast pain in women
- nausea
- tremors
- Less common:
o back pain
o chest pain
o hair loss or change in hair texture
o constipation
o heartburn
o hot flushes
o increased sweating
o leg pain
Last updated May 25, 2007.
Previous Story
