How to Truly Make the Most of Topamax Efficacy

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 14:46:44 +0100

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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Weight Loss an Unexpected Side Effect of Topamax Use

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 15:00:06 +0100

Topamax is a prescription drug that has long been linked to helping patients with migraine headaches and seizures due to epilepsy.Topamax has also been linked with birth defects in babies like cleft palates and with unexpected weight loss amongst its users. Currently it is uncertain on the amount of weight one can lose due to Topamax use since reports of weight loss varies from patient to patient.

A clinical trail was started in 2002 by the manufactures of Topamax after reports started to come in that people were losing weight due to the use of the drug.The clinical trails were soon abandoned however, after many of the participants started to show negative side effects such as tingling sensations in hands and feet, fatigue, drowsiness, and even memory loss. The trail showed no real conclusive evidence that Topamax could lead to permanent weight loss.

According to the reports of its users, the dosage of Topamax has an affect on the amount of weight loss, if any. Several of the reports state that once the dosage of Topamax reaches 100mg is when weight loss starts. The importance of these claims comes from that fact that Topamax users do not start at that high amount of the drug, since Topamax is a gradual drug and most doctors will begin their patients at a small amount of the drug and slowly build up to higher dosages.

Topamax is currently only approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of epilepsy and migraine headaches using the drug for any other use has been deemed illegal by the FDA.Warning labels placed on all Topamax products stating that the drug should not be used for anything else than its prescribed intention is now required by the FDA.

With some patients beginning to have Topamax Side Effects due to the side effects of the drug, there are those who are also starting to think of legal action. If the side effects of Topamax begin to show in your case then seeing your doctor as soon as possible would be the next logical choice.For more information on your potential legal action against Topamax manufactures, visit as Topamax lawyer as soon as you can, many lawyers will not charge you for the consult and will not charge legal fees unless your case wins compensation.

updates

How to Truly Make the Most of Topamax Efficacy

Weight Loss an Unexpected Side Effect of Topamax Use