Topomax Side effects?

[smokeater]

I have a question about medication called topomax.  I take it foe seizures and pseudotumor cerebri.  But my phychiatrist said  He would not recommend anything else for me at this time as this medicine also treats bi-polar and post-traumatic stress disorder which I have so it sort of doubles for the purpose I need it for.  Anyway I was reading on Google that Top[omax has had warnings issued out for it that one of it's side effects can cause blindness and pressure behind the eyes etc.  Is that true, and is it a serious enough warning to warrant looking into another medicine?  I have been on this medicine since August 2001.  I take 800mg a day. (400mg am  and 400mg pm).  Thanks very much for any input that you can give me on this.

Smokeater

[BonnieE]

i have been on topomax since july, i take 100 mg a day. i have read alot about people losing weight on it, but i havent. i take it at night and im wondering if others(that are seeing weight loss) are taking it in the morning. i would like to lose weight so.. any help would be nice! thanks!

Bonnie E

[ccslp]

I have been taking 600mg for 3 years and 400mg to years prior.  Does anyone know if nausea is a side effect?  I have had off and on nausea for the last year.  Recently I just went off of Depakote (1500mg).  The nausea has now increased to daily occurrances and is affecting my job performance as I work in a nursing home.  I have been to an MD and my psychiatrist ruled out withdrawl from Depakote.  I really need help, I can't work feeling this way every day.  I will listen to any suggestions.  I have already been through an ultra sound and an upper GI and no Gall stones were found--and I am not pregnant.  I went off of the Depakote to plan a pregnancy, however, I have not began the process yet.  If there is anyone who might know if this could be related to Topomax please let me know -- I'm getting desparate.

Thanx

[GOOD OLE GAL]

TOPOMAX IS A VERY POWERFUL DRUG. MY DR. GAVE IT TO ME FOR SEIZURES. EVERYTHING SEEMED OKAY AT FIRST. BUT, AFTER A YEAR OF TAKING THIS DRUG THE SIDE EFFECTS REALLY STARTED TO BE NOTICED BY FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND MOST IMPORTANT MY LITTLE 9 YR. OLD BOY AND MY HUSBAND.THE EFECTS WERE UNREAL I TURNED INTO A DIRRERENT PERSON VERY MEAN. MY SIDE EFFECTS WERE TINGLING SENSATIONS, CLUMSINESS,CONFUSION,VISION PROBLEMS, MEMORY PROBLEMS, NERVOUSNESS,COULD NOT PAY ATTENTION,LOSS OF APPETITE,AGGRESSION,VERY ILL,WEIHT LOSS NO SEX DRIVE, TROUBLE BREATHING. I AM NOW COMING OFF OF THIS DRUG AND PRAY FOR ANYONE WHO IS ON IT I HOPE WHAT I HAVE TO SAY WILL JUST HELP ONE PERSON. THIS IS NOT A GOOD DRUG.I WAS TAKING 400 MG. A DAY. HOPEFULLY ONE DAY THEY WILL DO AWAY WITH THIS DRUG. I WOULDNT WISH THE WAY I HAVE FELT ON ANYONE. BUT,I HAVE A WONDER FRIEND THAT HAS REALLY HELPED ME AND I WILL WIN THIS BATTLE. GOOD LUCK.

[ABhouser]

I am miserable. In light of sounding overly dramatic, let me clarify so that I am not misunderstood. I don't want unsolicited "hang in there, old gal" anecdotes. I just want to clarify as objectively, if possible, that I may have a valid reason for being so miserable.
Several months ago, I went to an opthomologist, and I had several concerns. I complained of a feeling of pressure behind my left eye, acute sensitivity to light, and my eyes, expecially my right eye not wanting to stay open. This was also combined with excessive blinking==intensity, frquency, and duration that affected my sense of well-being and judgement. His conclusion was, "Your eyes aren't broke.)
1.  Recent studies suggested that Topomax contributed to (caused) glaucoma, and I have been taking it for well over a year. Originally diagnosed by my internist, as an adjunct mood stabilizer to go along with Wellbutrin and an appetite suppresant, my psychiatrist continued it when I appeared to be having positive results for bi-polar (mixed)affective disorder.

2. I have a tendency to make things rather complicated with excess verbage. Cutting to the chase:
I have since been diagnosed with benign essential bletharospasms moderate to severe; possible ptosis in right eye; and TMJ.
I have a constant sense of pressure changes and ringing in my ears. The neurologist suggested that the Wellbutrin might becontributing to the bletharospasms, so I went off of it.
I am taking Celexa for the anti-depressant.

3.  No one will give me a definitive answer as to whether one of the meds is contributing to the ocular and cranial dysfuntion.

4.  I'll be returning to school as a teacher and I have used akk of  vacation type searchinggg

5. I am alos on Temazepam, Baclofin,and several other meds and I am practiaclly falling asleep at thte computer.

6.  Tomorrow, I need provigil to awaken me.

[John W. (RPh)]

Hi:

The reason that the pharmacist probably made no reference is two-fold:

a)Topamax is entirely safe at the dose that you are taking (at least according to the manufacturer).  My point is that (again, according to the studies undertaken to get FDA approval to market the drug) the drug is no more effective at 800mg than at 400mg.

b)With all due respect to Dr.Gould and his colleagues, in my professional practice it is very common to see mental health professionals do very,very wierd things when it comes to prescribing medications.  Not harmful things, but unorthodox nonetheless.

If you would feel more comfortable ... mention to your doctor that you've been told that you are taking too much and see what (s)he has to say about that.  But, once again, I reiterate: you are not taking a lethal dose!

Hope this helps,
JOHN W. (RPh)

[smokeater]

Thanks so much for our input.  Any reason why my own pharmacist wouldnt have said something to me about that?  I am really concerned now that I am being mistreated in some way.  Unintentional I'm sure but never the less, I dont want my brain fried by some medication because of taking too much which poses no benefit to me anyhow.  Does that make sense?  Do you think I should maybe see another dr. for a second opinion on this?

Thanks so much again for your help!

Smokeater

[John W. (RPh)]

Hi:

My name is John and I'm a registered pharmacist in New Hampshire.

The Doctor is absolutely correct. The maximum 'effective' dose is 400mg/day usually divided in 2 doses of 200mg.

Studies that I have read have utilized doses of up to 1000mg/day and they are conclusive that there is no benefit to exceeding the recommended max dosage of 400mg.

With respect to your question, yes Topamax can cause changes to eye pressure and you should note any blurry vision or pain behind your eye to the prescribing physician as they may be caused by the Topamax

Hope this helps,
John W. (RPh)

[smokeater]

If the maximum is only 400mg total a day then is my doctor being reckless in giving me that high of a dosage?  Am i beging unknowingly by him possibly overdosed on this and that maybe why I am feeling like I am?  Be cause I have many, many side effects of this.  Tingling in the hands and face, etc.  Burning, sometimes feel like Im on fire.  But I was concerned about that report.  My friend pointed me to that article.  Other than that article I have not heard anything else about that so called Blindeness effect either.  Can you advise?

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

First of all, the maximum dose is usually 400mg/day, so you are taking too much.  Nystagmus is reported  as a possible side effect, but not blindness.  You may have access to a more current report.  I suggest you print the reference, and take it to your doctor and your pharmacist, and ask them to respond to this latest information.