Topamax
Generic Topamax
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Drug Name
Topamax (Topiramate)
Drug Uses
One can distinguish several types of seizures. The first type of seizures involves just one small part of brain, while the second one involves a more significant area. Unfortunately, seizures can appear either on adults or on children. Topamax is a powerful medication aimed at treating partial seizures and generalized tonic-clonic seizures (this disease causes jerking movements due to abnormal contraction of the muscles). Topamax can be used by adults and children from 2 to 16 years old. The medicine comes in the form of pills and sprinkle capsules (note, children of 10 years and older are permitted to use this drug in the form of capsules).
Topamax is used in treatment of all main forms of epilepsy, alone or in combination with other anti-seizure medications. It can also be used to treat Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome on children of 2 and older, and adults. This serious disease leads to several seizures a day. Children suffering from Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome usually show delay in development comparing to other children. Topamax also can be prescribed to treat the following seizures: tonic (eyes roll upwards, troubled breathing, pupils dilation and stiffened body), myoclonic (uncontrolled muscles movements), atonic (sudden losses of consciousness) and absence (staring spells).
How Taken
To reduce the risk of possible side effects, Topamax is first prescribed at low doses that increase week by week. Usually patients start taking Topamax at as low dose as 25-50 mg a day, then a dose is increased by 25 (sometimes 50) mg each week. This increase is stopped when a normal adult dose is reached. Your doctor may increase or lessen your daily dosage depending on your body peculiarities and drug's effect on you. While an average adult daily Topamax dose is 400 mg (200 mg taken 2 times a day), you may feel better at 200 mg daily. On the other hand, some patients may need more than a recommended daily dosage.
Children take Topamax using the same scheme, but on significantly reduced doses. First week of treatment only 25 mg of the drug or less are prescribed. An optimal starting dosage can be calculated depending on a child's weight (1-3 mg per 1 kg of body weight a day). Once started, Topamax should be taken nightly. Daily children dosage is slowly increased as well up to 2.5-4.5 mg/kg taken two times a day.
To reduce the risk of kidney stones, make sure you drink enough while being on a Topamax course.
Drug Class and Mechanism
Topamax is related to the anti-epileptic or anti-seizure drugs. Its main aim is to prevent epilepsy seizures. In most cases Topamax is prescribed when other anti-epilepsy drugs don't work or show weak results. Medical studies prove, almost 25% or people with epilepsy show resistance to the majority of anti-seizure drugs. Topamax is used to prevent various seizures, either those that spread on small brain areas or seizures involving huge brain areas. In some cases this drug can be also prescribed to cure severe migraine.
Topamax mechanism of work is not clearly known as even scientific studies cannot give an exact answer. This medication may interfere with neurotransmitters - brain chemicals produced by nerves for communicational purposes. When nerves work in an abnormal way, they produce too many neurotransmitters leading to seizures. A part of scientists believe Topamax restores normal neurotransmitters manufacturing and thus prevents seizures. Other specialists assume Topamax doesn't work on neurotransmitters, targeting to nerves directly.
Missed Dose
A missed dose should be taken as soon as you can. In case many hours have spent since your missed dose, and it's almost time for a next one, don't take two doses at the same time and skip one. After this take Topamax directly as prescribed.
Storage
Keep Topamax away from moisture. The drug in the form of tablets should be preferably stored at 59 to 86 degrees F (what means 15 to 30 degrees F). Optimal temperature for storing sprinkle capsules is 77 degrees F (or 25 degrees C).
Warnings/Precautions
Don't use Topamax if you are allergic to any ingredient in it (check drug label for that purpose).
Prior to taking Topamax provide your doctor with the list of all drugs you take. Topamax taken in conjunction with some drugs like Dichlorphenamide (Daranide), Acetazolamide (Diamox), Methazolamide (Neptazane), Dorzolamide (Trusopt) may increase the risk of kidney stones. Another group of drugs, e.g. phenytoin (Dilantin) and Carbamazepine (Tegretol), fasten Topamax elimination from the body and so it works improperly even though you increase your daily Topamax dosage. Quite often seizure disorders require anticonvulsant drugs other than Topamax. If you take several drugs at the same time, discuss with your doctor the risk of gaining nerve toxicity from 4'-O-methylpyridoxine chemical.
Topamax enhances the production of some hormones like estrogen. Women who take birth control pills should think of other form of contraception as there is an increased possibility to get unwanted pregnancy. The drug's action on unborn baby is unknown as well as it's not clear whether Topamax is excreted in breast milk. Check with your doctor if you plan to get pregnant or already pregnant.
Rapid stop of Topamax usage is prohibited as this can cause seizures and other unwanted conditions. Consult with your doctor and develop a program of abandoning Topamax.
While taking Topamax, doctor may offer lab tests to monitor your condition. To keep an eye on your current condition, a series of lab tests like bicarbonate blood level test should be done. Do not miss your lab or doctor appointments.
Do not mix Topamax with alcohol and antidepressants when you plan to drive a car or do any other potentially dangerous actions. Try to avoid staying long in hot weather and drink much water or any other fluids when it's hot outside. Also pay attention at your sweating. Topamax may cause decreased sweating and thus high temperature. Seek medical health in case you have high temperature.
If you plan to get a dental or any other health care, make your health specialist aware of the fact you use Topamax.
Possible Side Effects
Here is the list of the most common side effects that might arise in case you take Topamax for a long time: speech or coordination problems, blurred or double vision, dizziness, low memory capabilities.
Children, who take Topamax, can experience the following: loss of appetite, drowsiness, weight loss, low concentration, aggression or nervousness.
Topamax is a FDA approved drug, however, there are 23 cases of eye problems caused by Topamax usage. Contact your doctor if you have a prolonged eye redness, vision problems or eye pain.
More Information
Topamax is to be used directly as prescribed. Do not use this drug to cure any other health condition and don't share it with others. Keep out of reach of children. Try to follow your dosing schedule; in case you take Topamax for a long period of time, make sure you have enough supply and won't be left without the drug.
Follow doctor's instructions and make all lab tests to monitor your health state and treatment progress.
$109.56
