Topamax - an overview
Topamax - also called topiramate - is a medicine that is prescribed to help treat problems with the nervous system.
The manufacturer
Ortho-McNeil Neurologics makes Topamax.
Uses
The uses for this drug include:
- Prevention of migraines
- To treat epilepsy
What it does
Researchers are not certain how Topamax works to prevent migraines or epilepsy. It is known that this medication helps to slow the electrical signals that occur within the brain to prevent seizures. It is also thought that is has a similar effect on migraines. Many doctors think that migraine headaches are triggered when the nerve cells in the brain become too easily excited. Topamax may help to calm these nerves and prevent migraines from starting.
Topamax benefits
Studies have found that this medication increased the time between seizures and lowered the number of them. One study done on adults that had epilepsy, about 75% of those who took 400 mg of the medication daily were free of seizures for at least a year.
One study of Topamax used to prevent migraine headaches, 200 mg taken daily helped to lower the number of migraines from 5.5 a month to 3.1 a month.
Secondary Effects
All medications carry the risk for secondary effects and this is the case with Topamax. Not all people that take this medicine will notice negative effects because it is usually well tolerated. If you do notice any effects you should know that they are most often mild and will likely require no treatment. Serious secondary effects are not as common.
Commonly reported side effects may include:
- Feelings of tingling or burning
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Nervousness
- Slowing or delays of mental and physical function
- Problems with coordination
- Upper respiratory infections
- Weight loss