Topiramate for epilepsy

Topiramate for epilepsy
Examples
How It Works
Why It Is Used
How Well It Works
Side Effects
What To Think About
References
Credits

Content provided by Healthwise

Examples

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Topamax	topiramate

Topiramate is taken several times each day. Topiramate comes in tablets and capsules, which can be opened and sprinkled on food.

How It Works

It is not known exactly how topiramate prevents seizures.

Why It Is Used

Topiramate may be used in combination with other antiepileptic drugs to control partial seizures in children ages 2 to 12.¹ It may also be used alone to treat children and adults with newly diagnosed epilepsy.²

How Well It Works

Topiramate is very effective in reducing partial seizures in most people who take it.

It may also help control seizures caused by Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.¹

Side Effects

Common side effects of topiramate include:

Drowsiness.
Dizziness.
Fatigue.
Lack of coordination.
Loss of appetite.
Inability to concentrate or speak clearly.
Nervousness.

Recently, topiramate has been linked in some people to a potentially life-threatening condition called metabolic acidosis. Symptoms of metabolic acidosis include fatigue, lack of appetite, and rapid breathing (hyperventilation). If left untreated, metabolic acidosis can lead to death.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

Side effects. While topiramate is tolerated well by most people and has few serious side effects, a small number of people who take the drug may develop kidney stones. A recent warning links topiramate use to metabolic acidosis in some people.
Cost. Topiramate is expensive.
Other concerns. Topiramate may make birth control pills less effective. A woman taking topiramate may need to use another method of birth control to reduce her chances of becoming pregnant.

For some people, topiramate may produce side effects or carry risks, including an increased risk of birth defects, that are not fully known yet. Report any unexpected side effects or problems to your doctor.

It may take time and careful, controlled adjustments by you and your doctor to find the combination, schedule, and dosing of medication to best manage your epilepsy. The goal is to prevent seizures while causing as few unwanted side effects as possible. Once the most effective medication program is determined, it is important that you follow it exactly as prescribed.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

References

Citations
Jarrar RG, Buchhalter JR (2003). Therapeutics in pediatric epilepsy, part 1: The new antiepileptic drugs and the ketogenic diet. Mayo Clinical Procedures, 78(3): 359–370.
French JA, et al. (2004). Efficacy and tolerability of the new antiepileptic drugs I: Treatment of new onset epilepsy. Report of the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee and Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society. Neurology, 62(8): 1252–1260.

Credits

Author	Monica Rhodes
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Steven C. Schachter, MD - Neurology
Last Updated	November 11, 2005

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Last updated:	November 11, 2005
Author:	Monica Rhodes
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Steven C. Schachter, MD - Neurology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman

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