Get Informed: Topiramate
Active Ingredient(s)
Topiramate
What does it do?
This product is used for the treatment of epilepsy and migraine. It appears to work at multiple sites in the brain, although its mechanism of action is not well understood.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 1:38 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-19 9:03 PM
Other Names
- Topamax
- Topiramate
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
- Please log in
- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 24 Dec 1996
- Est US Patients*
- 3,123,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Topiramate or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Topiramate Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Topiramate interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Topiramate used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 20,800 patients that use Topiramate (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Migraine/Headache | 62% | 
|
| Bipolar Disorder | 20% | 
|
| Epilepsy/Seizures | 17% | 
|
| Neuropathic Pain | 6% |
|
| Depression | 6% |
|
| Pain-Generalized | 4% |
|
| Anxiety | 2% |
|
| Tremor | 2% | 
|
| Fibromyalgia | 2% |
|
| Other | 4% |
|
How well does Topiramate work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 20,800 users taking Topiramate (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 85%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Topiramate outweigh the bad things.
- 11%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Topiramate.
Common Side Effects of Topiramate
iGuard regularly polls our more than 20,800 users taking Topiramate (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
55% of patients experience side-effects on Topiramate
9% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Topiramate
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Numbness/Tingling
-
Memory/Speech Problems
-
Grogginess/Confusion
-
Weight Loss
-
Drowsiness
-
Altered Taste/Smell
-
Loss of Appetite
-
Fatigue
-
Mood/Behavior Changes
-
Dryness
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Dizziness, Hair Loss, Headache, Heat Sensitivity, Hot Flashes, Insomnia, Kidney Problems, Loss of Libido, Nausea/Vomiting, Skin/Nail Problems, Sweating, Tremor, Vision Changes, Weight Gain
Global Patient Feedback for Topiramate ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I am 46 yr old male, got topamax for returning moodchanges (bipolar?) with migraine headaches problably caused by headtrauma.
Needles and pins in fingers and footsole, difficulties to concetrate and find right words sometimes. Some serious Fatigue, makes me a quiet person. Especially in combination with Lexapro (15 mg). In higher dose, 150 mg (100 bedtime and 50 morning) it had positive influence on headaches. Seems to wear out a little after one year, anyone has this experience to ?
47 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-15 11:20:58
Question/Comment:
I haven't found topiramate, which I take for seizures to do any thing for migraines, which I also have constently,so I asked my doctor to prescribe fioricet, which seems to help right well.
49 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-14 09:38:37
Question/Comment:
I have been on the Topomax and now I'm on the generic and either or they seem the same to me. Some side effects different then others, but the one thing that I take extra to help with my migraines is Maxalt they have it in a dissolvent where you put it under your tongue and it dissolves or tablet form. You can only take up to two max in a day. But, it really does give additional help that I need. I used to get 2 to 3 migraines a week now I can say I would get maybe 2 a month. Just watching what your eating and you really have to be your own micro manager when it comes to yourself. Just because they wear a white coat doesn't mean they have all the answers. You know your body better then anyone. Ask the tough questions, what are you afraid of? I'm on a lot of meds but I been thru a lot of Dr's until they figured out what was wrong with me. I made them do their jobs and I asked the tough questions I went in prepared. Their human they make mistakes just like you and me but, they can't read your mind on what is happening to you and if they don't listen to you then find a different doctor because maybe the next one will, because thats what I did. I had to or I would of died that was 5 years ago and my son was only 6mths old at the time and my husband and I were only married for a year. I'm micromanaging my illness. It's my job my body my responsibility.
33 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-11 15:18:39
Question/Comment:
I started on topiramate (generic) for my migraines on Monday, and I can already tell the differenc already. What a God-send !!! I feel better than I have in months !!!
I've yet to see what side-effects I will have, but I don't think they will be bad enough to ever stop taking this. Thank God for this drug!!!
53 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-10 20:09:00
Question/Comment:
Its been a god sent to me i suffered with migraine on weekly basis and having 6yr old son found it hard to even lift my head off the pillow its changed our lives and although i have other health problems my son has a happier mum back
41 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-07 06:52:37
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
436
Patient Comments about
Topiramate