About topiramate
Anticonvulsant; migraine preventive
Used for
- Treatment of epilepsy, alone or with other medicines
- Prevention of migraine headaches
Usual adult dose
Epilepsy: often 100–400 mg daily in divided doses. Migraine prevention: usually 100 mg daily in two doses, increased gradually.
Usual dose in children
Epilepsy: dosing depends on weight and seizure type, commonly 5–9 mg/kg daily in two doses. Not established for migraine prevention in children.
Common side effects
- Tingling, appetite loss, weight loss
- Sleepiness, dizziness, slowed thinking or memory problems
- Taste changes, nausea, diarrhea
- Kidney stones or vision problems, rarely
Important warnings
- Can cause serious eye problems; sudden blurred vision or eye pain needs urgent assessment.
- May cause metabolic acidosis, kidney stones, or reduced sweating and overheating.
- Can impair concentration and coordination; avoid driving until effects are known.
- Do not stop suddenly; stopping can trigger seizures.
Pregnancy
Can increase risks of birth defects and impaired fetal growth. For migraine prevention, avoid during pregnancy; epilepsy treatment requires specialist review.
Breastfeeding
Passes into breast milk. Monitor the infant for sleepiness, poor feeding, diarrhea, and inadequate weight gain.
Interactions
- Hormonal contraceptives may be less effective, especially at higher doses.
- Valproate increases the risk of high ammonia and low body temperature.
- Other medicines causing sleepiness can worsen impaired alertness.
- Lithium levels may change, particularly with higher topiramate doses.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.