Precautions
When used as a mood-stabilizing agent the final dose of topiramate is most often between 50 and 200 mg/day. Some people require doses as high as 400 mg/day to achieve a good mood stabilizing effect . . . especially when topiramate is being used as a monotherapy . . . while others do fine on 25 mg/day. 12.
Is topiramate a mood stabilizer?
Topomax is generally used as a secondary mood stabilizer and is often of partial help and can cause mental changes. Lexapro and Wellbutrin are standard anti-depressents but anti-depressents alone wont treat bipolar and what is needed is a full mood stabilizer. Lamictal is generally helpful in this regard.
Can Topamax be used as a mood stabilizer?
Lexapro (escitalopram) is good for treating depression and anxiety. It is less likely to cause side effects than and has fewer drug interactions. However, it might not be a good choice if you have liver or heart problems. Oleptro (Trazodone) works well as a sleep aid, but has more side effects when used at higher doses for treating depression.
Is Lexapro better for anxiety that trazodone?
Topiramate is a medication that works in the brain and is sometimes used in patients with bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression). It is approved for the treatment of seizures (epilepsy) in adults and children in combination with other anticonvulsants and for preventing migraine headaches in adults. ... Sleep and eat more or less than ...
Is topiramate a sleep medication?
What is topiramate used for?
How should I take topiramate?
What other drugs will affect topiramate?
What is the difference between Trokendi XR and Topiramate?
What to do if you have seizures while taking topiramate?
Can topiramate be changed?
Can topiramate be taken with food?
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About this website
Is topiramate good for anxiety?
The study found that the participants taking Topamax in addition to their prescribed depression medication significantly improved depressed mood, suicidality, insomnia, agitation, and anxiety symptoms compared to those taking a placebo.
How much Topamax should I take for anxiety?
The initial dose for Topiramate should be either 12.5 or 25 milligrams taken either once or twice a day. This dose increases by 12.5 or 12 milligrams each week until it reaches the final level, which depends on the use of the drug and how the patient is responding.
Can Topamax worsen anxiety?
Anticonvulsants like Topamax, can also profoundly affect mood, contributing to mental illnesses like anxiety, depression, or mania. Topamax can have several neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric side effects, including this case of Topamax-induced dissociative disorder.
Is topiramate a mood stabilizer?
Topiramate is a novel anticonvulsant agent with a broad spectrum mechanism of action, and recent clinical reports indicate that it may have mood stabilizing properties in bipolar disorder.
What is the most common side effect of topiramate?
Tiredness, drowsiness, dizziness, loss of coordination, tingling of the hands/feet, loss of appetite, bad taste in your mouth, diarrhea, and weight loss may occur.
How long does it take for topiramate to kick in?
For epilepsy, it can take 2 to 4 weeks for topiramate to work fully. For migraines, it can take 1 month for migraine attacks to be less frequent. But it can take 2 to 3 months for topiramate to work fully for migraines.
Does topiramate help you sleep?
Conclusions: Topiramate may be of benefit for patients with NES or SRED in reducing nocturnal eating, improving nocturnal sleep, and producing weight loss.
What can topiramate be used for?
Topiramate: a medicine to treat epilepsy and migraine - NHS.
Does topiramate give energy?
Animal studies suggest that topiramate increases energy expenditure and inhibits appetite, thereby reducing caloric intake [26, 36, 39].
Is topiramate a sedating?
Sensitivity to the cognitive adverse effects of topiramate In this context, sedation is a known and common adverse effect of topiramate.
Is topiramate used for ADHD?
Topamax (topiramate) Treats ADHD and lowers blood pressure. Tenex (Guanfacine) can be used to treat both blood pressure and ADHD, but it's not recommended as a first-line treatment for either problem. Prevents seizures and migraine headaches.
What is topiramate 25 mg used for?
Topiramate is used alone or with other medications to treat certain types of seizures including primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (formerly known as a grand mal seizure; seizure that involves the entire body) and partial onset seizures (seizures that involve only one part of the brain).
Is 100 mg of Topamax too much?
For migraine headaches: Adults and children 12 years of age and older—At first, 25 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may adjust the dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 100 mg per day.
Is 200 mg of topiramate too much?
The recommended initial target dose for topiramate monotherapy in adults is 100 mg/day to 200 mg/day in 2 divided doses. The maximum recommended daily dose is 500 mg/day in 2 divided doses. Some patients with refractory forms of epilepsy have tolerated topiramate monotherapy at doses of 1,000 mg/day.
Is 300 mg of Topamax too much?
The maximum recommended dosage is 400 mg per day. For partial onset seizures and seizures linked to Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, the recommended dosage is 200 mg to 400 mg per day.
What happens if you take too much Topamax?
If you take too much TOPAMAX, you may experience headache, dizziness, light-headedness, drowsiness, convulsions, speech disturbances, double or blurred vision, difficulty with thinking, abnormal coordination, stomach pain, depression, agitation, faster breathing or you may lose consciousness.
Does topiramate cause weight loss?
Yes, topiramate (Topamax) has been shown to cause weight loss when used for both seizure control and migraine prevention. Topiramate by itself is n...
Does topiramate cause hair loss?
Yes, topiramate has been shown to cause hair loss in studies, but it is not a common side effect. Hair loss (also called alopecia) has been reporte...
How long do you stay on Topamax for migraines?
You can usually stay on Topamax (topiramate) to help prevent your migraine headaches as long as the treatment is needed and remains safe for you. Y...
How long does it take for Topamax to start working?
It may take 8 to 12 weeks for you to see the full effect of Topamax on your migraine headaches. In clinical studies, some people had fewer headache...
How long does Topamax stay in your system?
Topamax stays in your system for approximately 4 to 5 days after the last dose, but this may vary depending on personal factors, such as your age,...
How does Trokendi XR help with weight loss?
Trokendi (topiramate) XR can lead to weight loss when used for prevention of migraine headaches or seizures, but it is not approved as a weight los...
When Did The FDA Approve This Drug For Marketing in The Us, and What Uses of The Drug Are approved?
The FDA gave final approval for the drug on December 24, 1996. As stated above, the only approved use to date is the treatment of convulsions.
Does Topiramate Have A Generic version?
The manufacturer of Topiramate still holds patent protection over the drug, so there is no generic version available yet.
How Is Topiramate Different from Other Mood Stabilizers?
There are two things that set Topiramate apart from other drugs in this class. First of all, physicians and psychiatrists sometimes prescribe it wh...
How Is Topiramate Different from Carbamazepine and Valproate?
For rapid cycling or mixed bipolar states, there are some cases where Topiramate is effective when these other two drugs are not.
Which Disorders Has Topiramate been Most Successful in Controlling So Far?
The lack of research about Topiramate makes it hard to tell which disorders will respond best to the drug: to date, there is not enough psychiatric...
Can Topiramate Treat Episodes of Depression, Mania, and Mixed States? Can It Prevent These episodes?
While Topiramate’s first use was for the treatment of mania, depression, or mixed states that were resistant to other drugs, its effectiveness for...
What Lab Tests Are Necessary Before A Patient Can Be Prescribed Topiramate?
It is important to test for any of several conditions that can interact with mood disorders. The necessary tests include blood and urine tests, bec...
What Dosage Is Appropriate For Starting A Course of Topiramate?
The initial dose for Topiramate should be either 12.5 or 25 milligrams taken either once or twice a day. This dose increases by 12.5 or 12 milligra...
Are There Any Special Problems Prescribing Topiramate Forpeople Taking Lithium, Carbamazepine (Tegretol), Or Valproate (Depakene, Depakote)?
There are no known interactions between Topiramate and lithium. However, carbamazepine can lower the blood-plasma level of Topiramate by 50 percent...
What Final Doses of Topiramate Are Typical and What Doses Are Appropriate For Different Disorders?
The final doses of Topiramate vary widely based on the targeted disorder, the patient, and whether or not the patient is taking any other drugs at...
What is topiramate used to treat? - Drugs.com
Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 1 Sep 2022), Cerner Multum™ (updated 5 Sep 2022), ASHP (updated 12 Sep 2022 ...
topiramate oral - Uses, Side Effects, and More - WebMD
Find patient medical information for topiramate oral on WebMD including its uses, side effects and safety, interactions, pictures, warnings and user ratings.
Topiramate Side Effects: Common, Severe, Long Term - Drugs.com
Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 1 Sep 2022), Cerner Multum™ (updated 5 Sep 2022), ASHP (updated 12 Sep 2022 ...
Topiramate: Side Effects & Uses in Addiction Treatment
Topiramate Dose & Half-Life. According to the drug label information provided by the FDA, Topamax topiramate is available in 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg tablets or as 15 mg and 25 mg “Sprinkle Capsules” that can either be taken whole or opened up to sprinkle the coated beads of medicine in the capsule over a spoonful of soft food like yogurt or applesauce.
Topiramate (Oral Route) Side Effects - Mayo Clinic
Side Effects. Drug information provided by: IBM Micromedex Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
What is Topiramate?
It is an anti-convulsive drug that stands apart from all other drugs used to treat convulsions or mood disorders because it does not share the same chemical composition. Medical researchers currently do not know how Topiramate works.
What psychiatric side effects do people who take Topiramate experience?
The list includes sedation, psychomotor slowing, agitation, anxiety, concentration problems, forgetfulness, confusion, depression, and depersonalization. There are also rare cases of psychosis.
How is Topiramate different from other mood stabilizers?
Secondly, the set of side effects that patients may experience is quite different on Topiramate compared to other mood stabilizers.
What lab tests are necessary before a patient can be prescribed Topiramate?
It is important to test for any of several conditions that can interact with mood disorders. The necessary tests include blood and urine tests, because these conditions could be the cause of a mood disorder.
What dosage is appropriate for starting a course of Topiramate?
The initial dose for Topiramate should be either 12.5 or 25 milligrams taken either once or twice a day. This dose increases by 12.5 or 12 milligrams each week until it reaches the final level, which depends on the use of the drug and how the patient is responding. A typical final dosage is between 100 and 200 mg per day, although some patients benefit from no more than 50 mg. The case of PTSD entails a final dose of approximately 175 mg per day and generally not exceeding 500 mg per day.
What final doses of Topiramate are typical and what doses are appropriate for different disorders?
The final doses of Topiramate vary widely based on the targeted disorder, the patient, and whether or not the patient is taking any other drugs at the same time. The most common doses fall between 50 and 200 mg a day for most therapies, but this can be lower for PTSD. Higher final doses may be required if Topiramate is being taken alone, up to 500 mg a day. Some patients experience relief with only 25 mg a day.
How long until the patient feels the effects of Topiramate?
This also varies significantly depending on the individual. Some feel the effects within days, while others need up to a month before they feel any difference.
How to tapper off from topiramate?
Topiramate: I don't know if this being prescribed to you by a psychiatrist or a neurologist. I worry when I see this type of question, as it might mean that some... Read More
Can you take Gabapentin for seizures?
No: Neurontin (gabapentin) is good for neuritic pain. However, it has also been used for seizures. Topamax (topiramate) is primarily for seizures but is... Read More
Is topamax (topiramate) effective for anxiety relief?
NOT INDICATED: Topamax (topiramate) is in the class of anti-convulsant medications, so used for seizures. Also used for migraine prophylaxis. Not too sure about use ... Read More
What does Topamax do?
This prevents excessive electrical signals from building up in the nerve cells. As a result, the nerve cells stop firing inappropriate or excessive signals.
What is the active ingredient in Topamax?
Topamax contains the active drug topiramate. Topamax belongs to a class of drugs called anticonvulsants. (A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way.) Anticonvulsant drugs work in your brain to help prevent seizures. Some of these drugs, including Topamax, can also prevent migraine headaches. Topamax is typically taken every day.
How long does it take to flush Topamax out of your system?
It takes about five half-lives for a drug to be almost completely removed from your body. So for Topamax, most of the drug will be flushed out of your system within about 5 days after you stop taking it.
Is Topamax a controlled substance?
No, it’s not. Topamax is available only by prescription from your doctor, but it’s not a controlled substance.
Is Topamax a mood stabilizer?
Topamax is sometimes used off-label * as a mood stabilizer in people with bipolar disorder. Mood stabilizers are drugs that help prevent extreme changes in mood, such as those that occur with bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder typically have episodes of depression and episodes of mania. Mania is a mood disorder that gives you an unnatural feeling of physical and mental energy.
How old do you have to be to take Topamax?
The usual recommended dosage of Topamax in children ages 12 years and older is the same as it is for adults. For details, see the “Dosage for preventing migraine headaches” section above.
How many mg is Topamax?
Topamax comes in two different forms: A tablet that you swallow. It’s available in strengths of 25 milligrams (mg), 50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg. A sprinkle capsule. The capsule can be swallowed whole or opened to sprinkle on a spoonful of soft food and swallowed. The capsule is available in strengths of 15 mg and 25 mg.
Answers
"Topamax has both approved and off-label uses. In the United States, the drug is officially approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for:
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Jackbarks, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss...
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What is Topamax?
Topamax has active ingredients of topiramate. It is often used in migraine. eHealthMe is studying from 52,458 Topamax users for its effectiveness, alternative drugs and more.
How many drugs are associated with generalized anxiety disorder?
Generalized anxiety disorder (excessive, uncontrollable, unexplained and often irrational worry) is found to be associated with 1,653 drugs and 1,193 conditions by eHealthMe.
How do anticonvulsants reduce anxiety?
Therefore, these drugs could reduce symptoms of anxiety by decreasing neuronal activation within fear circuits.
What is the gold standard for anxiety?
A variety of drug classes have been shown to be effective in treating anxiety disorders. SSRIs are the current gold standard for anxiety disorders. Effective in about 50% to 60% of patients, serotonin noradrenalin reuptake inhibitors are now considered the gold standard specifically for panic disorder and GAD.
What is the target of gabapentin?
In the case of gabapentin and pregabalin, N- and P/Q-type channels represent the main molecular target-in particular the alpha-2-delta subunit, type 1 and type 2. It has been suggested that the binding to this calcium channel subunit causes a channel conformational change, which lowers calcium influx and neuron depolarization and, therefore, firing. It also has been suggested that the expression of the alpha-2-delta subunit differs in different cell types in response to different conditions. For example, in chronic neuropathic pain, alpha-2-delta subunits may be up-regulated, which explains, at least in part, the efficacy of gabapentin and pregabalin in such a condition. 5 It remains to be determined whether such plastic changes are also present in anxiety disorders.
Does Gabapentin help with bipolar?
In this setting, lamotrigine and valproate may represent valuable options, although evidence on these 2 compounds in treating anxiety disorders per se is weak. Gabapentin has not been shown to have strong mood-stabilizing properties and there are no data for pregabalin. 24 Their use in patients with bipolar disorders and comorbid anxiety disorders seems premature.
Do Gaba anticonvulsants have psychoactive properties?
Not all classic GABA-ergic anticonvulsants exert helpful psychoactive properties. Although their pharmacological profile suggests anxiolytic properties, barbiturates, vigabatrin, and topiramate may have treatment-emergent psychiatric adverse effects. Agitation and hyperactivity have been described with barbiturates, especially in children, and it is well documented in the neurological literature that both vigabatrin and topiramate are associated with depression and psychoses. 7 This may be a consequence of GABA-ergic neurotransmission. The emerging understanding of different roles for phasic or synaptic inhibition and tonic inhibition mediated by different subpopulations of GABA A receptors may lead to targeted compounds for anxiety disorders.
Is tiagabine a GAD drug?
Regarding other anticonvulsant drugs, tiagabine is the only other compound being investigated for GAD. This agent has shown promise in an open study. However, controlled data from 260 patients showed no significant difference from placebo in responder rates measured with the Hamilton Anxiety Scale. 15
Is levetiracetam a conclusive drug?
Data on levetiracetam are not conclusive either. An open-label, flexible-dose study in 20 patients showed a clinically significant reduction in anxiety and phobic symptoms. 18 However, results of a controlled study comprising 16 subjects were clearly negative, although some methodological limitations such as the small sample size make it impossible to get definitive evidence about this anticonvulsant for social phobia. 19 Further investigations are needed.
What is topiramate used for?
Topiramate is a seizure medicine, also called an anticonvulsant. Topiramate is used to treat certain types of seizures in adults and children who are at least 2 years old. Trokendi XR is for use in adults and children who are at least 6 years old. Some brands of topiramate are also used to prevent migraine headaches in adults ...
How should I take topiramate?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
What other drugs will affect topiramate?
Using topiramate with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or depression.
What is the difference between Trokendi XR and Topiramate?
Topiramate is a seizure medicine, also called an anticonvulsant. Topiramate is used to treat certain types of seizures in adults and children who are at least 2 years old. Trokendi XR is for use in adults and children who are at least 6 years old.
What to do if you have seizures while taking topiramate?
Call your doctor if your seizures get worse or you have them more often while taking topiramate.
Can topiramate be changed?
Topiramate doses are sometimes based on weight in children. Your child's dose needs may change if the child gains or loses weight.
Can topiramate be taken with food?
Topiramate can be taken with or without food.
