Topimax
Topimax is a medicine used to treat epilepsy in adults and children, and to prevent migraine headaches in adults.
Form
kapseli, kova
Strength
25 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 capsules whole or open and sprinkle contents onto a teaspoon of soft food like applesauce or yogurt. Drink liquid right after to make sure you swallow all the medicine. You can take it with or without food. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day to prevent kidney stones. Do not save medicine mixed with food for later.
Important
Your doctor will determine your maximum daily dose.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Depression
- •Tingling, pain, or numbness in body parts
- •Drowsiness or tiredness
- •Dizziness
- •Nausea or diarrhea
- •Weight loss
- •Seizures
- •Anxiety, irritability, mood changes, or confusion
- •Problems with concentration, slow thinking, or memory loss
- •Kidney stones, frequent or painful urination
- •Nasal congestion, runny nose, or sore throat
- •Low blood count (anemia)
- •Allergic reactions (rash, redness, itching, swollen face, hives)
- •Loss of appetite or poor appetite
- •Aggression, agitation, anger, unusual behavior
- •Difficulty sleeping or broken sleep
- •Speech problems or slurred speech
- •Clumsiness, lack of coordination, feeling unsteady when walking
- •Reduced ability to do daily tasks
- •Reduced, lost, or no sense of taste
- •Involuntary tremors or shaking, rapid uncontrollable eye movements
- •Vision problems (double vision, blurred vision, difficulty focusing)
- •Spinning sensation (vertigo), ringing in ears, or ear pain
- •Shortness of breath or cough
- •Nosebleeds
- •Fever, feeling unwell, or weakness
- •Vomiting, constipation, stomach pain or discomfort, indigestion, stomach or bowel infection
- •Dry mouth or hair loss
- •Itching
- •Joint pain or swelling, muscle cramps or twitching, muscle pain or weakness
- •Chest pain
- •Weight gain
RARE
- •Increased acidity in blood (metabolic acidosis) with symptoms like fast breathing or extreme tiredness
- •Decreased or no sweating (especially in children in hot temperatures)
- •Serious thoughts of self-harm or suicide attempts
- •Partial loss of vision
- •Low number of blood platelets (cells that help stop bleeding) or white blood cells (cells that fight infection)
- •Low potassium in blood
- •Increased liver enzymes or a type of white blood cell (eosinophils) in blood
- •Swollen glands in neck, armpits, or groin
- •Increased appetite
- •Abnormally high mood
- •Hearing, seeing, or feeling things that are not there; severe mental illness (psychosis)
- •Lack of emotion, inability to show feelings, unusual suspiciousness, or panic attacks
- •Difficulty reading, speech problems, or difficulty writing by hand
- •Restlessness or hyperactivity
- •Slowed thinking, reduced alertness or wakefulness
- •Slowed or reduced body movements, involuntary abnormal or repeated muscle movements
- •Fainting
- •Abnormal or reduced sense of touch or smell
- •Unusual sensations before a migraine or certain types of seizures
- •Dry eyes, light sensitivity, involuntary eyelid twitching, or watery eyes
- •Reduced or lost hearing, or hearing loss in one ear
- •Slow or irregular heartbeat, or feeling your heart pound
- •Low blood pressure, especially when standing up (causing weakness or dizziness)
- •Flushing or feeling warm
- •Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
- •Gas, heartburn, feeling full or bloated
- •Bleeding gums, increased saliva, drooling, or bad breath
- •Excessive drinking or thirst
- •Skin discoloration
- •Muscle stiffness or side pain
- •Blood in urine, lack of bladder control (incontinence), urgent need to urinate, side or kidney pain
- •Difficulty getting or keeping an erection, or sexual dysfunction
- •Flu-like symptoms
- •Cold fingers and toes
- •Feeling drunk or learning problems
- •Glaucoma (high pressure in the eye causing pain or blurred vision)
- •Severe thinking, memory, or alertness issues caused by high ammonia in the blood (especially with valproate)
- •Severe skin reactions, such as widespread rash and blisters (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis)
- •Loss of consciousness or temporary blindness
- •Swelling in and around the eyes
- •Numbness, tingling, and color changes (white, blue, then red) in fingers and toes when exposed to cold
- •Liver inflammation or liver failure
- •Abnormal skin odor
- •Discomfort in arms or legs
- •Kidney disorder
- •Maculopathy (damage to the macula of the eye, affecting sharp vision)
Important Warnings
- Do not take Topimax if you are allergic to topiramate or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Do not take Topimax if you are pregnant or could become pregnant and are not using effective birth control, as it can harm your baby.
- If you have thoughts of harming yourself or suicide, contact your doctor right away.
- Tell your doctor immediately if you develop a skin rash or blisters, as these can be serious.
- Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without talking to your doctor, as your symptoms may return or get worse.
Show 3 more warnings
- Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Topimax.
- Topimax may make hormonal birth control less effective; you should also use a barrier method like a condom.
- If you have kidney problems, liver problems, eye problems like glaucoma, or are on a special high-fat diet (ketogenic diet), tell your doctor.