How to Truly Make the Most of Topamax Efficacy
Topamax, the brand name of Topiramate, is a seizure medication or otherwise
known as an anticonvulsant approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as
a treatment for epileptic seizures and prevention of certain types of migraine
headaches. Topamax could be prescribed as an adjunctive therapy which means it
could be taken together with other antiepileptic drugs or as a
monotherapy. Should Topamax be used as an adjunctive therapy, it should be noted
that other antiepileptic drugs affect Topamax.
Seizures in adults and
children who are at least 10 years old could be treated with Topamax as a
monotherapy. Seizures in adults and children who are at least 2 years old could
be treated with Topamax in combination with other antiepileptic drugs. Topamax
only prevents migraine headaches and not treat them or reduce the number of
attacks when use for migraine treatment.
To make sure that it is safe
for a patient to take Topamax, it is very important that the patient inform the
doctor if he has any other existing conditions. Among these conditions are
allergies, kidney disease or a history of kidney stones, liver disease,
glaucoma, a history of depression or suicide attempt, a growth disorder, a
history of metabolic acidosis, osteoporosis or low bone density, asthma,
emphysema, or other breathing disorder. For women who are pregnant or planning
to get pregnant, it is very important that they first discuss with their doctors
before undergoing the Topamax treatment especially with recent studies linking
the drug to serious birth defects.
Having suicidal thoughts while on
Topamax medication or having new or worsening symptoms of depression, anxiety or
suicidal thoughts should be relayed by patients to their doctors. It is also
important for patients to ask people always surrounding them like family and
other caregivers to take note of the changes in their mood or symptoms.
If patients experience side effects as a result of taking Topamax, they
should immediately inform their doctors.Serious side effects would include
sudden vision loss, pain around or behind your eyes, dry mouth, increased
thirst, drowsiness, decreased sweating, increased body temperature, and hot, dry
skin, slowed thinking, memory problems, trouble concentrating, problems with
speech or balance, confusion, mood changes, unusual behavior, thoughts of
suicide or hurting yourself, vomiting, loss of appetite, tired feeling,
irregular heartbeats, feeling like you might pass out, or severe pain in your
side or lower back, painful or difficult urination.
The increase risk of
infants to birth defects as a result of their mothers taking the medication
during pregnancy; is the most serious side effect associated with Topamax. For
failing to issue an early warning on birth defects despite studies suggesting
such as early as 2008, birth defects lawsuit could be filed against Johnson and
Johnson, the mother company of Ortho-McNeil, which manufactured Topamax.
Related article:
Topamax-Exposed Pregnancy: What Are The Risks?
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