Topimax
Topimax is a medicine used to treat epilepsy in adults and children, either alone or with other medicines, and to prevent migraine headaches in adults.
Form
kapseli, kova
Strength
15 mg
Active Ingredient
Topiramate
Manufacturer
Janssen-Cilag Oy
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will start you on a low dose and slowly increase it until the right dose is found for you.
Method
Swallow the capsules whole, or open them and sprinkle the contents onto a teaspoon of soft food (like applesauce or yogurt). Drink fluids right after. You can take Topimax with or without food.
Important
Always follow your doctor's instructions. Do not take more than prescribed.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Depression (new or worse)
- •Stuffy or runny nose, sore throat
- •Tingling, pain, or numbness in different body parts
- •Drowsiness, tiredness
- •Dizziness
- •Nausea, diarrhea
- •Weight loss
- •Seizures
- •Anxiety, irritability, mood changes, confusion, feeling lost or disoriented
- •Problems with concentration, slow thinking, forgetfulness, memory problems (new or worsening)
- •Kidney stones, frequent or painful urination
- •Low blood count (anemia)
- •Allergic reactions (like rash, redness, itching, swollen face, hives)
- •Loss of appetite, poor appetite
- •Aggressiveness, agitation, anger, abnormal behavior
- •Difficulty falling asleep or interrupted sleep
- •Speech problems or slurred speech
- •Clumsiness or lack of coordination, feeling unsteady when walking
- •Reduced ability to do routine tasks
- •Impaired, lost, or absent sense of taste
- •Involuntary trembling or shaking, rapid uncontrolled eye movements
- •Vision problems, such as double vision, blurred vision, reduced vision, difficulty focusing eyes
- •Spinning sensation (vertigo), ringing in the ears, ear pain
- •Shortness of breath
- •Cough
- •Nosebleed
- •Fever, feeling unwell, weakness
- •Vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain or discomfort, indigestion, stomach or intestinal infection
- •Dry mouth
- •Hair loss
- •Itching
- •Joint pain or swelling, muscle cramps or twitches, muscle pain or weakness
- •Chest pain
- •Weight gain
RARE
- •Increased blood acidity (can cause breathing problems, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, extreme tiredness, fast or irregular heartbeat)
- •Reduced or no sweating (especially in young children exposed to high temperatures)
- •Severe suicidal thoughts and attempts to self-harm
- •Partial loss of visual field
- •Glaucoma, which is a blockage of fluid in the eye, leading to increased eye pressure, pain, or reduced vision
- •Difficulty thinking, remembering, or solving problems; being less alert or aware; feeling very sleepy with low energy – these can be signs of high ammonia in the blood affecting brain function
- •Severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis, which can appear as rashes with or without blisters. Skin irritation, sores, or swelling in the mouth, throat, nose, eyes, and genital area. These rashes can develop into severe widespread skin damage (peeling of outer skin layers and mucous membranes) with life-threatening consequences.
- •Eye inflammation (uveitis) with symptoms like eye redness, pain, light sensitivity, watery eyes, small spots in vision, or blurred vision
- •Reduced platelets (blood cells that help stop bleeding), reduced white blood cells (blood cells that fight infection), low blood potassium
- •Increased liver enzymes, increased eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) in the blood
- •Swollen glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
- •Increased appetite
- •Elevated mood
- •Hearing, seeing, or feeling things that are not there (hallucinations), severe mental disorder (psychosis)
- •Lack of emotion or inability to show feelings, unusual suspiciousness, panic attack
- •Difficulty reading, speech problems, difficulty writing by hand
- •Restlessness, hyperactivity
- •Slowed thinking, reduced alertness or wakefulness
- •Reduced or slow body movements, abnormal or repeated involuntary movements
- •Fainting
- •Abnormal sense of touch, reduced sense of touch
- •Impaired, distorted, or absent sense of smell
- •Unusual sensations that may precede a migraine or certain type of epileptic seizure
- •Dry eyes, light sensitivity, involuntary eyelid twitching, watery eyes
- •Impaired or lost hearing, hearing loss in one ear
- •Slow or irregular heartbeat, pounding heart sensation in the chest
- •Low blood pressure, low blood pressure when standing up (which can make some people feel weak, dizzy, or faint when standing up suddenly)
- •Flushing, feeling warm
- •Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- •Excess gas, heartburn, feeling full or bloated in the stomach
- •Gum bleeding, increased saliva, drooling, bad breath
- •Drinking a lot, thirst
- •Skin discoloration
- •Muscle stiffness, side pain
- •Blood in urine, urinary incontinence, urgent need to urinate, flank or kidney pain
- •Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection, sexual dysfunction
- •Flu-like symptoms
- •Cold fingers and toes
- •Feeling drunk
- •Learning problems
- •Abnormally elevated mood
- •Loss of consciousness
- •Blindness in one eye, temporary blindness, night blindness
- •Poor vision
- •Swelling inside and around the eyes
- •Numbness, tingling, and color changes (white, blue, then red) in fingers and toes when exposed to cold
- •Liver inflammation, liver failure
- •Unusual skin odor
- •Discomfort in arms or legs
- •Kidney disorder
- •Maculopathy (a disease affecting the part of the retina with the sharpest vision). See a doctor if you notice changes or worsening vision.
Important Warnings
- Do not take Topimax if you are allergic to topiramate or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Do not use Topimax for migraine prevention if you are pregnant or could become pregnant and are not using very effective birth control.
- Do not use Topimax for epilepsy if you are pregnant, unless it is the only way to control your seizures. If you could become pregnant, use very effective birth control while taking Topimax.
- Talk to your doctor before taking Topimax if you have kidney problems (like kidney stones or dialysis), liver problems, eye problems (like glaucoma), or blood acidity issues.
- Your weight may decrease with Topimax, so it should be checked regularly.
Show 7 more warnings
- Some people taking Topimax have had thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Contact your doctor immediately if you have such thoughts.
- Topimax can cause serious skin reactions. Tell your doctor right away if you get a rash or blisters.
- In rare cases, Topimax can increase ammonia levels in your blood, which may affect brain function. Tell your doctor right away if you have trouble thinking, remembering, or feel tired and less alert.
- Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day to help prevent kidney stones. Avoid alcohol while taking Topimax.
- Topimax may cause dizziness, tiredness, or vision problems. Do not drive or use machines until you know how it affects you and have talked to your doctor.
- If you have a sugar intolerance, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.
- Do not stop taking Topimax suddenly without talking to your doctor, as your symptoms may return or worsen.