Topamax-losing weight rapidly...

Paula038

It really depends on the person. Two people in my household took it. One had terrible side effects and had to stop (we called it her "zombie pill"). The other is doing perfectly well on it, with no noticeable side effects. So it may be worth a try.

tpt42087

Hi everyone I was just put on topamax for nerve damage/pain tonmy neck/right arm. I am honestly terrified. All of these horror stories out there about this medicine but its my last resort. The pain I am in 24/7 is horrible and I need something to try to help. I started taking the pills December 23, 2014 50mg a day not even a week has gone by and ive lost 4lbs already do to the fact I dont feel hungry at all. I have this horrible taste in my mouth even when drinking water but I am forcing myself to drink. I have set alarms on my phone to remind myself to eat. My doctor wants me to up my does by 50mg each week until im at 150mg daily. Right now 50mg isnt doing much at all for the pain but making me itch like crazy. My biggest fear is the hair loss my hair isnt thick at all as it is. I am gonna give it another week maybe 2 and week what happens. If by the time I see my doctor January 14th the pain is still just asbad I will ask to quit the meds.

jillnemma

Hi, On Topamax and also take Lamicatal for Bipolar. I also take Lithium. The Topamax had me drop 20lbs quickly and I was pretty stupid for a while, but I'm fine now, it helps with mood stabilization in conjuction with my Lithium because my Lithium level were getting toxic. Lamictical is used as an antidepressant and mood stabilizer as well. Have taken all three drugs for Bipolar for several years under the direction of a Psychiatrist so yes these drugs all have multiple uses. Topamax made me go cold turkey off of soda because it killed the taste of carbonation for me, it's disgusting

Pete0725

I've been taking 50mg of Topamax for migraines for the past 3 months. I haven't experienced any side effects. My neurologist stressed the importance of drinking lots of water, which I drink around 120 oz per day.

As for weight loss, I can't say for sure I lost the weight due to Topamax as I've just completed P90x and immediately started T25..and I've been eating fairly clean and true to my daily calorie limit.

RxKetogenicRx

TOPAMAX(Topiramate): mechanisms of actions include voltage gated sodium and calcium subtype T receptor blocker, potentiates gamma aminobuyric acid, weak carbonic anhydride inhibitor, and finally an AMPA/Kainate receptor blocker.

The weight loss combo product recently approved is Topiramate + Phentermine (QYSMIA)
Notable side effects of Topiramate include cognitive decline, nephrolithiasis (that's Latin for kidney stones...drink up), anorexia, oligohydrosis (inability to sweat;overheating), metabolic acidosis, secondary angle closure glaucoma, and oral cleft palate congenital malformations...additionally decreases oral contraceptive efficacy in doses exceeding 200mg/day (weak 3A4-Inducer)

Indications include seizure adjunct (except absence seizures), migraine prophylaxis (there are so many other options), wt. loss only in combo labeled as QYSMIA
For some reason lots of people confuse Topiramate and Lamotrigine...both have very similar mechanisms of action

mumblemagic

Branded vs Generics is actually quite important. Although the active drugs are the same, the coating and stabilisers etc. that are necessary can be different, and cause different levels of absorption of the active ingredient into the blood.

For example, if Generic A has a coating which makes 80% of the drug be absorbed into the blood, but Generic B is only 75% absorbed, then a 50 mg tablet of A will produce higher levels in the blood than B. This means you need slightly different doses of A than B to get the same theraputic effect. There can also be differences in side effects.

The reason I mention this is that there was a campaign a couple of years ago in the UK regarding the prescribing of generics to people with epilepsy - if you don't get the same brand or same generic each month the levels in your blood change and you cannot stabilise your dose level. This meant that people had control over their seizures one month and not the next, side effects one month and not the next, and were also feeling the effects of the changing levels of the active ingredient in the blood stream. The campaign also included other people on long term medications e.g. with heart conditions and some psychiatric conditions.

That's not to say that generics are bad and branded are good, just that if you are on Generic A you need to stay on it for consistent effects. Or if you are on Generic A and experiencing side effects, it may be worthwhile discussing with your doctor or pharmacist whether switching to the branded version or Generic B may improve those side effects.

With some tablets, e.g. short term antibiotics for a cold, this isn't really a problem, but it can be for long-term medication.

RxKetogenicRx

Yes but Topiramate does not require therapeutic drug monitoring via serum blood concentration
We have the Orange book as a reference for A/B bio equivalence issues here in the states
A minor 5% difference in bioavailability is acceptable

mumblemagic

Yes but Topiramate does not require therapeutic drug monitoring via serum blood concentration
We have the Orange book as a reference for A/B bio equivalence issues here in the states
A minor 5% difference in bioavailability is acceptable

Aaah ok. Interesting! They probably have them at the GPs too. As a patient, though, I don't have access to that information. I just requested my GP prescribe brand only so the pharmacist dispenses the same thing each time. Sorted!

babyangelica2010

I just got off this drug a couple weeks ago. I liked the reduced hunger but I didn't lose any weight. I was still bingeing a little though (I was put on it to control binge eating)
It als made me horribly sleepy all the time. My daughter would wake up in the night and be playing in the livingroom and I wouldn't hear a thing. I only knew because my roommate at the time told me. I was constantly exhausted and I'm normally a fairly light sleeper, but I wasn't able to wake up when my daughter woke up and I'd drift in and out in the mornings to where she would be playing for an hour or so every morning by herself. I just couldn't get out of bed. Ultimately that was the reason I stopped, because I was afraid my daughter would get into something she shouldn't while I was asleep.

elyse19

Just had to put in my 2c since happening across this Topomax/Topiramate blog.
I have been using MFP for a couple of years, struggling to lose weight which MFP has helped with, but slowly. Because of some serious family issues beginning with my father's sudden death, started to see a shrink - not for migraines or bipolar disorder, but anger management issues and inability to sleep. I was very worried about an anti-depressant that would cause weight gain (because why was I using MFP in the first place???) so the shrink prescribed Lamictal/Lamotrigine just to calm me down which worked well enough. When a few months later I said I needed something to also stop my compulsive late night eating - I wasn't hungry but would pop out of bed just to nosh, he prescribed Topomax/Topiramate, first at 25mg, going up to 50 mg, which is where I am now.
I have now been on Topiramate since last January. I have had none of the side effects everyone else has referred to. I have stopped the compulsive late night eating. I have diligently been able to watch my calories and closely eaten healthily all year (not realizing that Topomax had a weight loss side effect). I started eating more protein, salads for dinner, and cut out sweets, breads, pasta and cheese.
I am happy to report that in 2013, I lost 45 lbs, (from 195 to 150) and so far this year have already lost another 2-3. Plan to lose another 15 to get me back to where I was at 40 (almost 20 years ago). I lost about 4-5 pounds/month or about 1.2 pounds/week. I don't think that is a rapid weight loss and I didn't think it was due to the drug, but closely watching my calories and using MFP and FitBit. I've had none of the side effects.
If Topomax helped me along, I'm glad it did. I'm also a lot calmer and not as angry as when I first went to the shrink, so that off label use certainly worked for me too.
I think if used correctly and in an appropriate dosage (I've read some of the people here were at 250 mg!!!), it should work as intended without the extreme side effects.

toropion91

i actually was taking it for about six months and i lost about 36 pounds. Great to lose weight without any side effects for me. Try to get it again.

sheshetb

It DOES cause weight loss! I've lost over 50 pounds.Haven't changed a thing! I lose a pound daily! I'm on 50 mg daily. I love it!!

Athelda

My neurologist wants to put me back on Topomax. I almost forgot some of the side effects I experienced until u read this! I was wonderful while I was on it at first! Then suddenly I got the zapping feelings I was losing my teams of thought! I had eye problems I was in a trance! The problem was I was taking other meds too. We couldn't narrow down to which one was causing what! It's been a year since I stopped taking them my migraines increased. Damned if I do and damned if I don't!

haleyd79

Hey everyone! Can I ask for those of you that have said you experience weight loss and those that didn't, which pill "shape" did you take? I didn't realize there were different ones but apparently there is a round topiramate and an oval one? I have taken both but with the round one have experienced all of the side effects except weight loss. With the oval pill I lost weight within days, with the round pill I haven't had any loss of appetite or weight loss at all and I'm going on week 3. This is frustrating. If I'm going to suffer all of these side effects again I better at least enjoy the ONE pleasant side effect from it. This is my 3rd time on this and each time before I was on the oval pill and had loss of appetite and weight loss along with all the other side effects. Now on the round pill I have all of them BUT weight loss/loss of appetite. What the heck?

haylo817

Thank you for this feedback. I am in a similar situation. I am on Lamictal and it has stabilized my anxiety issues. But my late night cravings have caused a stall in weight loss. I am looking forward to the boost that Topamax can provide. Even though there are potential side effects I am choosing to stay positive and focusing on the health benefits of keeping me from binges.

aliyogaandarts

Hi all-I was on topamax for just a few weeks but the pins and needles in my hands and especially my feet were horrible and I had trouble sleeping. I also felt like I had trouble breathing-wheezing like asthma. I did lose weight but when I read the side effects I was horrified. Kidney stones, glaucoma...just taking phentermine now and that seems to be working maybe not as fast but at least no side effects

ThinkInOregon

I took Topomax for 3 weeks for migraines. Some of the side effects are food aversion and food perversion. Everything I tasted, tasted like warm mud. Ice cold diet coke, warm and like mud.

I stopped taking it when I realized I was so confused at work I couldn't do a simple drug calculation, and had to take a week off work while the medicine came out of my body.

But yeah, I lost over 10 lbs during that time, and not something I plan on ever taking again.

yasminejacobs92

I been on Topamax for over a year honesty I have had no side effects and no weight loss. I wish I have had weight loss but I have experienced no feelings of lack of appetite. I have tried many different diets and nothing for me seems to work to lose weight I currently only eat 2 smoothies a day and lean cuisine meals for a intake of less then 1500 calories a day but I still dont lose weight. It is depressing I have talked to my doctor about it but they say it just takes work I been working I work out 3-5 times a week 40 mins a day cardio then 30 min cool down weights and no weight loss or inches lost. I dont know what to do.

milesaway61

I was on this about 6 or 7 years ago. I don't remember if it was generic or not, most likely it was generic.

I lost about 35lbs during the time I was on it. I also stopped drinking soda, which I was completely addicted to, because the taste became horrible.
The bad: My memory became absolutely horrible. I forgot my brother's name repeatedly, I would lose my train of thought in the middle of a sentence. Not great for a university student at exam time.

I gained the weight back, but not due to the medicine, my exercise routine and diet changed completely when I entered the work force.

Bonheur9

I am currently taking topamax for weight loss and nighttime binging. I take 25mg in the morning and 25mg before bed. Though I am not as hungry during the day, I am still binging at night. Has anyone taken their night time dose earlier in the evening and has this helped?

BlueHills12

I was prescribed 100 mg of Topamax for migraine relief and remained on the drug for 3 years. Did I lose weight? Yes - probably too much. Did it limit my migraines? Absolutely. But the side effects of the drug were simply unbearable. I was a crazed, crying maniac the first 2 months while my body was trying to adjust. My memory was shot. I was terrified when I moved out of state and was interviewing for new jobs - I could barely remember previous jobs, people's names....I talked in circles and I find it a miracle that I was offered a job! The tingling sensations never went away. I knew I needed to get off of the drug but was terrified of the headaches coming back and subsequent weight gain.

I've been off of Topamax since November and have gained 18 pounds. Fast. My memory has vastly improved and I feel my quality of life has certainly improved - however the weight gain is frustrating, depressing, and a real kick in the junk. I'm the most fit I've been in my life (recently placed 1st out of the females in a 5k last week...and dropped 3 minutes off of my time from last year), and have a great diet. I am just constantly thinking about food and have zero self-control. When I want a small chocolate treat after dinner I end up demolishing a pint of frozen yogurt, or literally shove cookies in my mouth until I feel even worse. I've stopped buying anything remotely bad for me since I know I was eat everything in one sitting. I'm temped to go back on Topamax for the weight loss, but cannot handle the dopey/crazy/can't-remember-anything feelings.

Adw7677

Weight loss is very common. I had no appetitie for the first month of Topomax, although it didn't equate to weight loss.

Be careful as it has a lot of nasty side effects. I became really itchy everytime I took a shower. We installed water filters, changed shampoos and soaps, nothing happened. It wasn't until I stopped taking it and the itchiness went away that I realized it was from the drug.

I also have near-bald spots because of the drug. Everytime I showered and my scalp would itch, a bunch of hair would fall out too. I've been off T for about 2 years now and still trying to get my hair back.

It did work great for the migraines though.

Pirate_chick

Topamax drove me insane. I took it for migraines. I was a totally different person. I'd lash out, do things I normally wouldn't do.I was extremely aggressive. Yes, I lost weight on it, but I got off of it after 4 months. I'd rather have the pain of the migraine than deal with that. I was a monster.

ETA: I was always tired too. This drug is no joke. I got a rash. I was always itchy. It was nuts.

Adw7677

And as a previous poster said, be very aware of memory loss. It's not your typical, "I don't remember what I did yesterday." It's a more horrifying, "Why am I in this car? Do I live around here? What am I doing here?"

Pirate_chick

And as a previous poster said, be very aware of memory loss. It's not your typical, "I don't remember what I did yesterday." It's a more horrifying, "Why am I in this car? Do I live around here? What am I doing here?"

My god, I had this happen to me! It was terrible. I thought I was sleep walking. I didn't think to attribute it to the drug.

AUGirl79

I think Topamax is is common for bi-polar treatment.

lilpickle683

i've been on topamax (now generic topiramate) for seven years for migraines. for the first 3 years I was on 50mg twice a day. the first year I was on it, I lost 30lbs - mostly because I didn't have an appetite and anything carbonated tasted horrible so soda and beer were out. The pins and needles feeling went away after a couple months. After those three years I dropped down to 50mg once a day (at night) because of the memory issues. I was having a hard time with an increased work load at work (which is NOT like me), forgetting people's names, things like that. now i'm on 25mg in the morning and 50mg at night; I'm getting married in June and the stress caused my migraines to get worse. so far so good on the side effects - although I wish the weight would come off quicker with the increased dose! :P

Revey13

I have been taking Topamax for migraines for 3 months. I maybe lost 2 pounds but then, depending on what day I weigh myself it is back. I did experience extreme drowsiness for the first month and a half (so per doctor's order I took the pills at bedtime). That was very difficult but like most medications, even that side-effect was not permanent. After I adjusted the fatigue went away and whatever diminished appetitie I may have had is gone and I don't believe I have lingering side effects and whatever I did have did not effect the quality of my life in such a negative way that it was worth "flushing" the medication and giving up. Although my migraines are not gone, they are greatly reduced and - truthfully I don't care about rapid weightloss as my weight is fine - I am happy with topomax (at least until I get a kidney stone - then I will re-post). Anyway, rapid weightloss - I guess it depends on the person. I was not in it for the weightloss and did not have any... But I am here to sugges that since, like other posters here taking topomax for other reasons did not experience any weight lose then perhaps it also functions as a placebo for those wanting to loose weight? I found the accountablility of a food diary the best method for real and permanent weight loose (and you can do that without altering your brain chemistry).

imlovinlifenow

Hi Becca- Same thing happened to me. I am down 7 lbs in 4 days! (hence the user name)

cindyhoney2

Are you having any other side effects?

Topamax does commonly cause weight loss, but it is also not prescribed for bipolar disorder. It can be, but is off label. Are you sure that is what you are taking? If you don't mind my asking, are you type 1 or 2 bipolar? A mood stabilizer like lithium or valproate in combo with an antidepressant if necessary is usually standard of care. It worries me you taking topiramate (which is a seizure drug) and already having a reaction to it. Are you seeing a psychiatrist or is your primary care provider giving you that?

Sorry for all the questions, but I would keep an eye out for any other reactions as well as your bipolar symptoms and make sure to tell your doc. Since topiramate is off label, it has not been extensively studied in bipolar disorder.

I took this at a high dose for over 5 years as a bipolar treatment. It is often used as an antipsychotic at high doses (hence the nick name dopamax) I have been off of it since 2012 and the migraines have returned. Did you know they also use it to treat migraines? I'm starting back now going up to 100 mg daily. I took 200-500 as an antipsychotic drug. I was BP type 2 btw.
I also want to say that I came off the bipolar meds and only take anxiety and depression meds now after losing weight, that was my main reason for being so depressed. (I also dropped weight quickly taking it before)