Topiramate

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used for the treatment of seizures. It is usually used with other medicines.

How does it work?

• Topiramate decreases the number of seizures. It may slow or block electrical activity in the brain.

How is it best taken?

• Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an upset stomach.
• Swallow tablet whole. Do not break. It has a bitter taste.
• Take with lots of liquid every day unless told to drink less liquid by healthcare provider. This is to decrease the chance of kidney stones.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
• Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with healthcare provider.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Wear disease medical alert identification for seizure disorder.
• If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects.
• You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Follow laws in your state about driving with a seizure history. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medication. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling lightheaded, dizzy, or tired. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Changes in balance, feeling shaky or unsteady.
• Problems speaking, poor memory, concentration, and short attention span.
• Mood changes.
• Numbness and tingling of hands and feet.

What should I monitor?

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Changes in thinking clearly and logically.
• Too tired or sleepy.
• Any rash.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store in a tight container at room temperature. Protect from moisture.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

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