Topamax®
Generic Name: Topiramate
25mg Tablet
50mg Tablet
100mg Tablet
200mg Tablet
15mg Capsule
25mg Capsule
Topamax (TO-pa-max) is approved as an add-on medication for adults and children (2 to 16 years old) with partial seizures with or without secondary generalization or primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures and for seizures associated with the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. It has been reported to be successful in myoclonic epilepsy and may have a role in the treatment of infantile spasms.
Topamax is available in tablets and sprinkles. It may interact with Tegretol, Tegretol-XR, Carbatrol and Dilantin. It may also make the oral contraceptive pill less effective at Topamax doses of 200 mg or more; women taking this medication who also take birth control pills may require oral contraceptive pills with higher hormonal content to prevent pregnancy.
Reported side effects include difficulty with concentration, speech and language problems, cognitive slowing, drowsiness, dizziness, tingling of distal extremities/face, unsteadiness and fatigue. Side effects are more likely with higher starting doses and quickly increasing doses. Decreased appetite, weight loss and kidney stones have been reported.
Safety in pregnancy has not been established. Women who are taking this medication and who wish to become pregnant should discuss treatment options with their physicians before the pregnancy begins.
Not everyone experiences side effects. There may be other side effects not appearing above. For a complete list, consult your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. More detailed sources of information on side effects include the drug’s prescribing information sheet, the Physician’s Desk Reference, or pharmaceutical company which produces the drug.
Link to product information here.
© 2010 Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with Permission.
