Why it is Prescribed
Topiramate is used with other medications to treat certain types of seizures in patients with epilepsy or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (a disorder that causes seizures and developmental delays). Topiramate is used to treat patients who continue to have seizures even when they take other anti-seizure medications. Topiramate is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants. It works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.
How it Works
Topiramate comes as a tablet and a sprinkle capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food twice a day in the morning and evening. Take topiramate at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take topiramate exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than ...
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Why it is Prescribed
Topiramate is used with other medications to treat certain types of seizures in patients with epilepsy or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (a disorder that causes seizures and developmental delays). Topiramate is used to treat patients who continue to have seizures even when they take other anti-seizure medications. Topiramate is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants. It works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.
How it Works
Topiramate comes as a tablet and a sprinkle capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food twice a day in the morning and evening. Take topiramate at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take topiramate exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Topiramate tablets have a bitter taste and lose their effectiveness quickly when broken, so you should swallow them whole. Do not split, chew, or crush them.
Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of topiramate and gradually increase your dose, not more than once every week.
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Other Uses
Topiramate is also sometimes used to treat cluster headaches and infantile spasms (a condition that causes uncontrolled stiffening of the body in babies). Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
seizures
drowsiness
speech problems
blurred vision
double vision
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Precautions
Before taking topiramate,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to topiramate or any other medications.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: acetazolamide (Diamox); antidepressants; antihistamines; cholestyramine (Questran); dichlorphenamide (Daranide); digoxin (Lanoxin, Digitek); ipratropium (Atrovent); iron; isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); medications for irritable bowel disease, mental illness, motion sickness, Parkinson's disease, ulcers, or urinary problems; metformin (Glucophage); methazolamide; oral contraceptives (birth control pills); other medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), and phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); salicylate pain relievers such as aspirin, choline magnesium trisalicylate (Trisalate), choline salicylate (Arthropan), diflunisal (Dolobid), magnesium salicylate (Doan's, others), and salsalate (Argesic, Disalcid, Salgesic); sedatives; sleeping pills; tranquilizers; ...
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Possible Side Effects
You may experience hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) while you are taking this medication. Your doctor will tell you what you should do if you develop hypoglycemia. He or she may tell you to check your blood sugar, eat or drink a food or beverage that contains sugar, such as hard candy or fruit juice, or get medical care. Follow these directions carefully if you have any of the following symptoms of hypoglycemia:
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Special Dietary Concerns
Talk to your doctor about increasing the amount of food you eat if you lose weight while you are taking topiramate.
Talk to your doctor before changing your diet or beginning any type of weight loss program. Do not follow a ketogenic diet (a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet used to control seizures) or any other high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet, such as the Atkin's diet, while taking this medication.
Storage Conditions
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Tablets should be stored at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Sprinkle capsules should be stored at or below 77° F. Never store broken tablets or mixtures of sprinkles and soft food. These should be used right away or thrown away. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
