Topiramate is an anticonvulsant that is also effective for preventing migraine headaches. It affects several chemicals in the brain that help to reduce seizure activity and prevent migraine headaches from occurring.
Topiramate is usually initially prescribed at an initial dose of 12.5 -25 mg once or twice a day and the total daily dose is increased by 12.5 - 25 mg every week. When prescribed in addition to other anticonvulsants being used as mood stabilizers, the final dose is often between 100 and 200 mg per day. Some patient with Bipolar Disorder do well on as little as a total daily dose of 50 mg/day. When used for the control of the symptoms of PTSD the average final dose is about 175 mg/day.
Topamax was first approved by the FDA to treat epilepsy. Topamax is also approved to treat migraines. The classic migraine involves being brought to the ground by the nausea, the sensitivity to light and sound, and the jackhammers that have taken up residence in your head for at least a couple of hours. There are all sorts of other weird, bad headaches that don't go away using anything you can buy without a prescription, and those too could be migraines.
Topiramate may cause drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, or trouble concentrating. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Topiramate may reduce sweating, which could raise body temperature, especially in children. Some medical conditions may interact with Topiramate: Lithium because Topiramate may have an effect on lithium blood levels, Hydrochlorothiazide because it may increase the risk of Topiramate 's side effects.
Constipation; decreased sweating; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; flu-like symptoms; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; nervousness or anxiety; numbness or tingling of the skin; runny nose; sore throat; stomach pain or upset; taste changes; tiredness; trouble sleeping; weight loss.