Topamax User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• Bridget...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 16, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "Was put on Topamax for migraines a year and a half ago, I have had maybe one or two headaches since being on this medicine compared to the weekly migraines I was having before the Topamax AND I am down 80 pounds. I only take 100mg a day. I was just diagnosed with bipolar 1 and after reading this forum I am going to talk to my doctor and see if upping my dose will help with that since I've seen that it is helping all of you. I am feeling quite confident that this could be my medicine of choice for multiple ailments. Good luck to all in your search."

• Jenno...
• May 30, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I was on 25 mg to start and ended up taking 100. I lost weight. But the price I paid in side effects was not worth it. I lost so much hair that when I try to braid it it's like braiding tiny strands of dental floss. It looks so ridiculous long I had to chop it all off just to conceal how grossly thin it is. People call it dopamax for a reason. It made my memory Swiss cheese and when I had to process information it felt like fighting through seaweed. The worst side effect was the depression. This stuff makes me downright suicidal. It helped me lose about 80 pounds by starvation. I never wanted to eat. I became anemic. If you've never had that before you'll find simple physical tasks to feel like they're inciting heart attacks."

• Anonymous
• February 12, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "Started taking this about a month ago to level out my moods. I noticed difficulty focusing at first but it stopped. I'm also having tingling hands, feet, and face occasionally but with the way this medicine works it's worth it. Since I've been on it I'm like a new person, this medicine is a God send. Try it."

• Anonymous
• November 10, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I only took this drug for 3 days before ending up in the psych unit from a psychotic episode. I had never had one before, mind you. My Dr. warned me, also, when he gave me the Rx, to watch for symptoms of such an episode. He did not go on to tell me specifically what those symptoms would be like and I had no idea what this could entail. He said the drug had/has been known to cause these episodes. Just telling me to watch for symptoms though...by the time I starting having the symptoms, I was too paranoid to be able to do anything about it or even realize what was happening since I had never had such an episode. It was the scariest thing I've ever experienced in my life and I still have nightmares and anxiety about the things experienced in my head and thoughts during the time of the episode that lasted for 2 weeks, even while in the hospital. I would love to sue the pants off the makers and that doctor, who, by the way, when my mother called my doctor for help, he stated "Since she won't talk to me, I am not her doctor anymore as of this moment." I wouldn't get on the phone because I was in the middle of a psychotic episode and thought everyone was trying to kill me. Great doctor, huh?! DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

• crazy...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 2, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "My original intent with Topamax was never weight loss, (mood) nor would have I ever believed the results I've obtained 19 months later. Quick negatives-my mental agility decreased significantly, I misspell my own name; most food & beverages taste like rubbish; and, the generic version is subpar. I was always overweight, I'm mid-30s, male, & slimmed from 275 to low 180s, size 42 to 32, XXL to L. It stays off! Still drop a few lbs. every month. However it's impossible for me to get off, I tried once and I went into a severe depression, but I'm a healthy weight now with perfect blood pressure."

• NASHV...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 27, 2014

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I was very excited when I started taking this medication. And then.... I had read the side effects and was like oh this is crazy. I will say I was on no other medication. I have never had hair loss like this. It was gobs of hair in my shower. The previous posters that refer to brain fog - yep that too."

• Casey...
• June 10, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Ok so I am going on my third week of topamax I have seizures uncontrollably migraines and obesity so let me begin with saying this I have noticed a significant change in my body as far as the weight loss goes 6pds since I have been on it and still loosing however I have lost my appetite I have no desire to eat I may eat one time a day that's the only downside I have noticed a change in carbonated drinks they don't taste the same anymore I am currently coming off tegortol which was only treating my seizures and I was gaining so much weight so I'm thankful that topamax is working for me and i only have to take one pill a day to treat all my ailments"

• rogi
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 21, 2013

For Seizure Prevention "This is for the Newbies out there. I started this medication when I was 15. Had my first seizure few days before before my 15th birthday. The first side effect you will experience is sleepiness, don't fight it. Let your body get a nap between 1-3, which I found to be the best time. I sleep for 1 hour and still can fall asleep at night. I am 21 now. Some advice to you, whenever you don't feel like eating I found that sweet tea gets me hungry, find that X factor in you. The weight loss is insane. I lost 40 pounds in 6 months just by breathing. Now, sleep patterns are important. If an average person needs 8 hours you and I need 9-10 MINIMUM also try to take the dose at the same time every day, you will fall asleep faster. Hang out to see sunrise."

• Rln
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 7, 2020

For Fibromyalgia "I have been taking Topamax a long time. I was taking 200mg but I was having memory issues so I asked my doctor if I could try 175 mg and she agreed. It has worked much better. I was taking it all in the morning and I was so tired in the day. I read on here that someone suggested taking half in the am and half in the afternoon. I started that 2 weeks ago and it has made a huge difference my energy level. I use to stay in bed most of the day. Now I bake and do crafts with my kids."

• Little...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "Having thought I was suffering from every ailment under the sun, I discovered it was actually side effects of these tablets. Breast pain, confusion, exhaustion, tingling sensation in finger's and feet, inability to string a sentence together, irritability, anxiety, depression, shortness of breath, heavy limbs. Unfortunately, I am clearly not suited to these tablets. Although, on a positive note, they have stopped my migraine's. I'm currently weaning myself off of them, from 75mg, 25mg... I've just been prescribed some High Strength B2, to start at 200mg per day, to increase to 400mg. In the light of these not suiting me, next will be Amitripyline."

• Anonymous
• August 1, 2009

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "After having developed neuropathy post surgery I was suffering daily. I had tried Neurontin with little relief and was prescribed Topamax initially at 25mg. Over the last 6 years I've been titrated up to 300 mg and can tell you that this drug has helped tremendously. Initially I had common side effects, difficulty finding words, I lost weight about 20 pounds, and found that I had some tingling in my hands and feet. These issues generally resolved in time or I have just grown accustomed to them. For anyone who initially has issues with the side effects try and stick with the medicine for a little bit unless totally intolerable, it gets better."

• Anonymous
• September 26, 2010

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I haven't been on Topiramate very long, only a couple of months. Started taking it for RLS (restless leg syndrome). I was really surprised to see that it is sometimes used as a weight loss medicine. I didn't really notice any difference in my appetite. However, my last visit to doctor did show that I've lost 5lbs. I don't like the tingling, crawling skin sensation side effect. That went away after a few days."

• nikki
• March 23, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been taken this medicine for a month on 50 mg a day and so far I have lost 9 pounds. I haven't been able to lose any weight for 12 years. I think this drug work wonders but you do need to take the steps and eat healthier and watch your portion control while you eat. I hope I keep losing its been way to long for being over weight and out of control. You can't just take a pill and hope it's a magic pill you have to put in the work too."

• Victo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I started Topamax on August 18th and my life has changed! Today is September 2nd, two weeks without a migraine is a miracle. I’m on 50mg. At first I was having a hard time at work. Brain fog is an understatement. But I would say it’s gone now. Within the first week my sensitivity to light disappeared. I actually started crying tears of joy while driving because I could finally see in the day time without migraine. And same thing at night. I don’t have to turn the mirror up anymore. I can see! I occasionally get some tingling in my hands and feet but not bad at all. I will update again on my progress/side effect in a month or two. Good luck to everyone. This has been such a blessing for me."

• tinke...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 27, 2013

For Fibromyalgia "I was put on Topamax 2 months ago after a serious car accident that left me in a flare up of my fibromyalgia. I have not reacted well to medications in the past and have had serious reactions which lead to serious consequences to the other meds I was on. Topamax has been the only medication that I have been able to tolerate well. It does take a while for it to start working though and I have had a few side effects but none that I'm not willing to put up with and 2 of them have gone away since I have started the Topamax."

• Zoe
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 11, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I tried EVERY medication out there, I swear. It has always ended badly, bad side effects, bad combinations, etc. And because of that I have been more against taking meds. Once we finally figured out that depression wasn't my problem, and I was diagnosed with a mood disorder (unofficially Bipolar II since I'm still not 18), I'm finally on 75mg of Topamax, 20mg of Prozac, and then I take Adderall XR 30mg and Adderall normal 10mg and this combination has had any positive effect, without any negative side effects. I do think I have suffered from the side effect of memory loss and slow thinking, not enough to make me stop taking it though. It has helped me so much and I recommend to anyone who is having trouble finding medicines that work for them."

• Turn
• June 2, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "I love this medicine. My Dr originally gave it to me for weight loss but it got rid of all my joint pains. I had it everywhere. It was a miracle drug for me. I am noticing some memory loss, and difficulty concentrating but I'm 52 so it could be age. I'm going to cut back on the dosage and see if I notice changes."

• Lindzh
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 29, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started taking 50 mg of Topomax for the first month and went up to 100mg for the next three months. Lost 40 pounds.... For the next year and a half I have kept off the weight but have not lost any more. I still need to lose 30 more pounds, but have seemed to plateaued. And I am at 200 mg now... dont know what to do."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 2, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "Taking Topamax with Zoloft ... my first week was a tough but I feel so good. I have PTS, bipolar, depression, anxiety and in the 4 months I had three episodes and that's so good I was having episodes everyday. I feel good."

• Hobot...
• January 15, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I've been on Topamax for a month for basilar- type migraines which cause vertigo and headaches. Since being on 50mg of Topamax I've had 1 vertigo migraine attack when I had been getting them 5 days a week. This MEDICINE has made a huge difference for me. I also have noticed I have more energy and I'm just happier in general. I've lost some weight as well. I'm really happy I've found medication that works for me. I had some side effects like feeling out of it and tiredness for the first 2 weeks."

• Rache...
• February 13, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I suffer from migraines and also am overweight. So the Dr prescribed me topamax for both. I weighed in at 209 on Feb 2 2016 and today Feb 12 2016 I am 203. So far so good with the weight loss. I'm not to pleased with the side affects however. I feel fuzzy all day. Like I'm on a cloud, Dizzy. Tingling and nubness in my fingers and toes. Hasn't helped my migraines at all either. It does though not make me hungry at all. I have to force myself to eat because I know I have too. I don't see myself taking this medication long term. I'd rather try and lose the weight naturally. Not worth all the side affects"

• manc_...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 30, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been on every medicine. I've had electroshock therapy. Medications don't really work for me very well. I'm only taking Lithium ER 450 mg right now cos my body can't handle more of it. I was taking Topamax for headaches, I thought, but my psychiatrist said it might help my mood. Been taking it for years. I didn't know that it did work for me until I stopped using it. I broke into a manic episode because I started taking that Garcinia weight loss thing, and I wasn't on the Topamax. Well, I guess Topamax DOES work. "

• sharron
• April 20, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "Topamax was the worst thing that I have ever taken and I wish I were exaggerating. Everyone is different but Topamax has messed me up so badly mentally and physically and has not helped with migraines. I have never been suicidal but I became fearful of what I might do to myself while I was on this medication. I do not recommend this medicine to anyone."

• Ckaz
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "A very dangerous medication. I was prescribed it for headaches. Many side effects were problems I was already having. I told my doctor about I, and so did my wife on many occasions. The doctor said keep taking it, the good out ways the bad. And if I don't take it. They will not try a new.medication,or see me again. So I tried it for 21 days. Hallucination, didn't no if I was awake or dreaming. Many bad things. Then out of know where. I shot myself under the chin. Some how I survived. After coming out of coma and many surgeries. I did more study on the medicine. I'm 46. In the testing of this drug. 31% of all males between 41 & 49 committed suicide on it. That's one in three males. All within the first 30 days. So I was failed by my the docs"

• Scottie
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 3, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "At 5’7”, I weighed 208 after giving birth at age 31. Developed what they thought was fibromyalgia. After 6 years was put on Topiramate - 200mg per day. Dropped 50 pounds in about 6 months. Went off it, eventually gained the weight back plus another 30. 14 years since the first time: Back on it, have lost 40 pounds in 3 months. Still need to lose around 60-75 pounds... The fibromyalgia turned out to be MS. Haven’t been able to exercise in 20 years. I miss that, badly... But since I have no metabolism, it’s either starve or take the Topiramate. I’ve never noticed any negative side effects... But then, my resting state is pretty messed up; it would be hard to distinguish any new negative stuff from the plethora of negative stuff I already suffer regularly. ;)"