How long did your side effects last after tapering off Topamax?
Question posted by Lyssa0124 on 1 May 2012
Last updated on 14 February 2020 by Aarobins79
I was on topamax for about 3 months and at 75 mg. This drug was highly changing my mood and personality and it was only mildly effective at helping the migraines. I spoke with my doctor and he told me to wean off by 25 mg every 4 days. I took my last pill on day 12. I am currently 9 days free of Topamax but I am still dealing with pretty intense muscle spasms (eye, leg, feet) and I seem to feel dizzy and almost a little bit like a panic attack. I was wondering does anyone know how long it would take for this to wear off? I was only on the drug 3 months. I still fear I could have a seziure and I wonder if I weaned off too quickly. I am also a bit of a worry wart so that doesn't help any of my problems.
I would love to talk to my doctor about it but he doesn't like to return phone calls so I have taken to the internet.
I was on 600mg/day and weaned off it without difficulty, but did it slowly. You should check with your MD or pharmacist.
Votes: +0
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Lisa83
19 Sep 2017
I started taking topamax /topiramate 3 weeks ago (50mg) still having headaches and now having blurry vision. It was precribed to me because I was having severe migraines. I'm wanting to taper off and stop taking it but keep playing phone tag with my Dr. Not really sure what or how to do this.
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QuailLady
20 June 2015
I started topamax/Topiramate around 3 months ago for my severe migraines I get 3-6 times a week. I started at 50mg twice a day but after 1 1/2 months still had no change. My doctor put me to the max allowed which is 200mg per day. I took 100mg twice a day. I'm having mood swings, depression, mild anxiety, my arms, face, chest and hands have become extremely itchy like I've been in something I'm allergic to. I'm getting migraines again, which is another side effect, go figure. Dry skin, thinning hair, dry nasal cavity, congestion, bladder issues, constant fatigue. I started almost 2 weeks ago weaning myself off by dropping to 50mg twice a day. Starting Tuesday I'll drop to 50mg once a day for 2 weeks then I'll be done. The itching is the worst of them all. It gets worse when I sweat. I have to take 2 Benadryl just to dull down the itch. Food and drinks have a different taste, I've developed a cough.
In my opinion this drug needs to join the recall and destroy list. The side effects are far worse than the issues its used for. I haven't lost any weight on I either by the way.
Votes: +0
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Tamaral
29 Jan 2017
Hope you are feeling better now, been a few years since your post. Just wanted to comment on the Benedryl for future readers... wasn't sure is that was a drug interaction with Topamax? I know decongestants are, wasn't sure about the Benedryl. That was a high dose though, and totally sounds like allergic reaction. My taste has been off for awhile now too, it's a nasty drug.
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QuailLady
29 Jan 2017
I take 2 Benadryl twice a day now. My meds list has greatly changed in the last 5 years. I'm currently on 10/325mg Vicodin every 6 hours and at night, instead of Vicodin, I take 500mg Metholcarbamol, an anti muscle spasm med. That's just to name 2. My doc didn't think the Benadryl was effecting the topamax and on top of talking ALL my meds over with all 3 of my docs I also research the hell outta them. Lol. I found that ever since I stopped taking the depo prevera shot, my migraines are 75% gone. Most of the meds I take I'm at max dose and I have had bad reactions to 3 meds. Viibryd, baclofen and trintellix. They all worsened my depression, the baclofen made me suicidal. My boyfriend was extremely concerned and threatened to drive the almost 2 hours and come take them from me. I beat him to it and threw them away as soon as I realized what was happening. I was only on each of those 3 meds a week. I wasn't on them at the same time, let me clarify that. Lol.
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gab6767
9 Feb 2019
Thank you for taking the time to relate your experience. I, too, suffer from chronic migraines (6-7 days per week). My only relief comes from a Sumatriptan injection of 100mg. Unfortunately, it is expensive & inconvenient to go see a doctor for this & not recommended for long term use. Also, not recommended for use more than twice a month. It comes in pill form. Sadly, the pill stopped working for me. I would recommend Sumatriptan injection for immediate relief without any side effects.
I was on 100 mg s. 2x daily. My hair was falling out by handfuls and the list of symptoms is too long for me to write or go into on my phone at this time. However I did want to mention I was on it for migraines. When I noticed the hair loss and severe migraines and vision problems I went off it after two years. I now experience double vision not to mention is worse with the ADHD I now suffer. If I stop concentration I go cross eyed and the double vision occurs !! As well as the bowel issues and bladder issues I could go on and on I have been off This drug for nearly a year. I do not feel like the same person before taking this drug. I TRUELY believe it has been due to the miss leading information of the serious side effects of which from what I have read upon , the manufacturer did not study all effects it can have. I do not blame my Doctor. However I did decide to stop it when one of my best friends daughters commited SUISIDE while on this drug.
I am not saying that is why , but that and handfuls of hair and double vision was enough to put it to a dead stop for me. I do believe this is an honest error on the clearance of the drug to be consumed by the public.
Votes: +1
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DemoninDC
17 May 2012
First off, you need to find a new doctor. It is not acceptable that your doctor, especially a sub-specialist like a neurologist does not return phone calls. You are having an adverse reaction to the removal of a drug that he prescribed.
The 4 days in between changing doses based on your comments was not enough. Typically the titration is 7 days between additions & reductions. Unfortunately this drug is a very dirty drug as you found out with your mood and personality changes. Hope things are well now.
