Summer BanksTopiramate
September 23rd 2006 23:28
Topiramate :
Topiramate is used along with other medications to prevent seizures in patients with epilepsy. It is thought that this medication works to stop or stabilize some of the electrical activity of the brain, keeping the nerve cells of the brain from becoming overexcited. Seizures occur when the electrical activity of the brain is overactive. Topiramate will not cure your epilepsy but will help to control your seizures when taken as directed by your doctor.
Treatment :
Take topiramate exactly as prescribed by your doctor. This medication may be taken either on an empty stomach or with food or milk (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
It is important to swallow the tablets whole; do not chew, break, or crush them.
The sprinkle capsules may be swallowed whole, or their contents can be sprinkled onto a teaspoonful of soft food
(such as applesauce, yogurt, pudding, ice cream, oatmeal,
or custard) and swallowed immediately. Do not prepare the capsule/food mixture ahead of time or store any of it for a
later dose. Be careful not to chew or crush the pellets from
the capsule before you swallow.
Drink plenty of water or other fluids (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise). This will help to prevent kidney stones from forming.
It is important not to stop taking topiramate abruptly. Suddenly stopping it may result in a return of seizures. If this medication needs to be stopped, it should be done gradually. Talk with your doctor before you attempt to stop treatment.
The full effects of this medication may not be apparent for several weeks. Usually, the dose of topiramate is slowly increased over several weeks.
If you miss a dose of topiramate, take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, do not take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the next dose or take more than prescribed by your doctor.
Side Effects :
Minor: Back pain, breast pain in women, chest pain, constipation, heartburn, hot flashes, increased sweating, leg pain, nausea, or tremors. Most of these effects should disappear as your body adjusts to topiramate.
To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
Major: Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about being unusually emotional, depressed, or nervous; difficulty walking or feelings of clumsiness; problems with your eyes or vision, including blurred vision, seeing double, eye pain, eye redness, difficult-to-control eye movements, or increased eye pressure; speech or language problems; unusual tiredness or weakness; or weight loss.
Interactions :
Topiramate may interact with a number of other medications:
Concurrent use of topiramate with other central nervous system depressants (such as alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, narcotics, pain medications, and phenothiazine tranquilizers) or with tricyclic antidepressants can cause extreme drowsiness.
Concurrent use of topiramate and any over-the-counter (nonprescription) medication for weight loss or for cough, cold, sinus problems, asthma, or allergies may increase the side effects of topiramate. Combining topiramate with any of these medications should be avoided.
The effects of oral contraceptive medications (birth control pills) may be reduced by concurrent use of topiramate. An additional method of birth control (such as a barrier method) may be needed while you are being treated with topiramate. Discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist.
Acetazolamide will increase your chances of having kidney stones when taken with topiramate; avoid concurrent use of these two medications.
BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications that you are currently taking, especially any of the medications that are listed above.
Warnings :
Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to topiramate or another antiseizure medication or any other medications.
Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had kidney or liver disease, too low of a sodium level in your blood, or thyroid disease.
While taking topiramate, your ability to perform tasks that require alertness, such as driving an automobile or operating potentially dangerous machinery, may be impaired. Caution should be taken.
It is important to see your doctor regularly while you are being treated with topiramate to make sure your seizures are being controlled.
Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Although it has not been adequately studied in humans, topiramate has caused birth defects in animals given large doses. You should discuss the risks and benefits of using this medication during pregnancy with your doctor. Topiramate can also pass into human breast milk. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant and discuss the risks and benefits of this medication.
Topiramate is used along with other medications to prevent seizures in patients with epilepsy. It is thought that this medication works to stop or stabilize some of the electrical activity of the brain, keeping the nerve cells of the brain from becoming overexcited. Seizures occur when the electrical activity of the brain is overactive. Topiramate will not cure your epilepsy but will help to control your seizures when taken as directed by your doctor.
Treatment :
Take topiramate exactly as prescribed by your doctor. This medication may be taken either on an empty stomach or with food or milk (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
The sprinkle capsules may be swallowed whole, or their contents can be sprinkled onto a teaspoonful of soft food
(such as applesauce, yogurt, pudding, ice cream, oatmeal,
or custard) and swallowed immediately. Do not prepare the capsule/food mixture ahead of time or store any of it for a
later dose. Be careful not to chew or crush the pellets from
the capsule before you swallow.
Drink plenty of water or other fluids (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise). This will help to prevent kidney stones from forming.
It is important not to stop taking topiramate abruptly. Suddenly stopping it may result in a return of seizures. If this medication needs to be stopped, it should be done gradually. Talk with your doctor before you attempt to stop treatment.
The full effects of this medication may not be apparent for several weeks. Usually, the dose of topiramate is slowly increased over several weeks.
If you miss a dose of topiramate, take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, do not take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the next dose or take more than prescribed by your doctor.
Side Effects :
Minor: Back pain, breast pain in women, chest pain, constipation, heartburn, hot flashes, increased sweating, leg pain, nausea, or tremors. Most of these effects should disappear as your body adjusts to topiramate.
To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
Major: Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about being unusually emotional, depressed, or nervous; difficulty walking or feelings of clumsiness; problems with your eyes or vision, including blurred vision, seeing double, eye pain, eye redness, difficult-to-control eye movements, or increased eye pressure; speech or language problems; unusual tiredness or weakness; or weight loss.
Interactions :
Topiramate may interact with a number of other medications:
Concurrent use of topiramate with other central nervous system depressants (such as alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, narcotics, pain medications, and phenothiazine tranquilizers) or with tricyclic antidepressants can cause extreme drowsiness.
Concurrent use of topiramate and any over-the-counter (nonprescription) medication for weight loss or for cough, cold, sinus problems, asthma, or allergies may increase the side effects of topiramate. Combining topiramate with any of these medications should be avoided.
The effects of oral contraceptive medications (birth control pills) may be reduced by concurrent use of topiramate. An additional method of birth control (such as a barrier method) may be needed while you are being treated with topiramate. Discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist.
Acetazolamide will increase your chances of having kidney stones when taken with topiramate; avoid concurrent use of these two medications.
BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications that you are currently taking, especially any of the medications that are listed above.
Warnings :
Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to topiramate or another antiseizure medication or any other medications.
Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had kidney or liver disease, too low of a sodium level in your blood, or thyroid disease.
While taking topiramate, your ability to perform tasks that require alertness, such as driving an automobile or operating potentially dangerous machinery, may be impaired. Caution should be taken.
It is important to see your doctor regularly while you are being treated with topiramate to make sure your seizures are being controlled.
Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Although it has not been adequately studied in humans, topiramate has caused birth defects in animals given large doses. You should discuss the risks and benefits of using this medication during pregnancy with your doctor. Topiramate can also pass into human breast milk. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant and discuss the risks and benefits of this medication.
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