Hi friends,
My physician has given me a prescription for Topamax for weight loss support. This program will be supervised and I will see the Dr weekly. An EKG and blood work were required and all normal, however cholesterol and sugars were getting up there. My physician told me I'm not at risk for breast or lung cancer or lots of other diseases judging by my lifestyle and family history, but I am at risk for stroke or heart attack if I don't lose around 35-40 lbs.
I'm well aware that programs like Weight Watchers are successful and that patients don't keep weight off unless they change their eating habits, but I'm going to jump start my weight loss with the Topamax. I also take:
Clonazepam 0.5, Straterra, Viibryd and Diovan. I occasionally use a rescue and a maintenance asthma inhaler.
I'm hoping not to be lectured, but rather to hear about anyone's experience with Topamax for weight loss. I know it must have worked well as it is now FDA approved for that purpose.
Thank You! I value everyone on our site and appreciate your support.
4N Substances aka Frenchie
Topamax for Weight Loss?
Question posted by 4N Substances on 16 March 2013
Last updated on 18 December 2022 by JMoorhead
This question has also been asked and answered here: Does topiramate cause weight loss?
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65 Answers
What dosage does your doctor have you on. I take Topiramate for Migraines and have not noticed any weight loss.
Why not try Xenical? It’s a great weight loss medication as long as you stick to the instructions
I have been on dozens of psych meds and Topamax is the only one I have ever taken besides Adderall that drastically suppresses my appetite.
I don't know why I am so different from everyone else. In the past when I was too skinny due to constant nausea, I stopped taking Topamax because it dulled my appetite. But NOW with taking it, my appetite was on speed dial. I was hungry all the time and I ate all the time. And gained 5 -6 lbs in the first 10 days of taking it. Must be that it interacted with some of my other meds. I stopped after 10 days and the appetite is down to its dull roar. Still overweight, but nothing like I would have been if I had stayed on it.
Have u lost weight with topamax my doc is going to start me on it in a month bit if it doesn't work for weight loss then I don't want to try it
Do you live in a Florida? Trying to find a topamaX friendly MD
I was prescribed Topamax 25mg twice a day for migraines. It works for migraines by dulling the senses a bit (including taste buds). I positive side effect was losing about 20 pounds. I drank more water and ate less. A negative side effect was blurry vision (just had to get some reading glasses - not long distance just up close). Other than that, it worked well for migraines and weight loss. Hope you have good luck with it.
Topamax was given to me for migranes as well as sizure disorder/ wightloss. I have noticed that it has helped me not crave food as offten, but also has helped my bowels to move more better. I did have to change my diet, but i was 345 when i started it and now am down to 205, tho diet change and exercise are very important topamax has contributed alot to it
Do you live in Florida by chance? I have migraines , at least twice a week. I have been to an optometrist thinking it was my eyes. I have been to urgent care (lack of insurance and not having a PCP) and they just wanted to send me for a CT scan. I need relief, it’s effecting my job and I am missing too much work and my household is suffering financially. I need to find a doctor who understands and has treated this before. Any help is appreciated.
I took it and it made sweet foods taste funny which made me not want to eat them and I gave up carbonated drinks all together.
I didn't take it consistent enough to be able to give you a true answer. Good luck though!!
I have been taking Topamax for two months and I feel horrible. I only lost two pounds. My doctor upped my dose to 50 mg two times, it has made it worse. My kidney function was not good, Monday. I have been dizzy for two months, never associating it to the med. I have had no appetite, nauseated, throwing up, severely depressed, confused, clumsy, nervous, stomach pain, diarrhea and not being able to eat. I have to eat, I am a Type II diabetic. I just retired after teaching for forty years and thought I should be on top of the world. I did not work this long to be sick now. I have always had a lot of energy and now I look at my projects with confusion. After my doctor's visit I was convinced I might have the beginnings of ketoacidosis. I thought back when my dizziness began, when I began Topamax. I decided to look up the side affects of Topamax and there were all my symptoms I have developed since beginning this med.
I am relieved and since I did not lose but two pounds I believe this is not for me and not worth this barrage of side affects that have impaired my way of life and made my depression, anxiety, worse.
Hello everyone hate to be bring bad news been on this for two months at 100mg twice a day now at 150mg twice a day no changes. When l started these pills l changed my eating habits as well and exercised too but nothing.
Iv been taking topamax since aug.10th of 2016 i started out weighing 196lbs i lost 15lbs in the first 2 weeks an i started off on low dose of 50. Mg cause i couldnt handle it then i worked up to 100mg. the first 2 weeks i stayed at 100mg. I eventually worked up to 200mg by the 2 mo. I believe. But i lost 49 lbs since then an im not exercising or dieting. I couldnt imagine how much id of lost if id done both!! Id probably be atc125 like i want to be. Thats my target weight but im atc143 now. Any ways the only side effects iv had is forget fullness which went away after a month an my carpel tunnel in my hand has gotten worse an pop tasted so nasty when i first started taking the meds. But i lost the bulk of my weight with in 3 mo i lost 40 lb iv leveled off now i need to excersice an diet now lol but this med works great i love it!!! It doesnt give u energy it just boosts ur metabolism i think an curbs ur appetite.
Idk good luck on ur weight loss o yeah i also take it with 300mg welbutrine an i think that helps it too.i can eat as much as i want all day long an not gain a lb so but im gunna start dieting causecthe soda i drink is the reason im stuck at 143 an not looseing forcthe past month an normally ill loose 10lbs a month an i have not so i need to change some eatting habits on my part. But anyways if u excersice an diet take full advantage an take welbutrine u will loose 70lbs probably in the same amount of time i did lol. Its worth it with in 2 weeks u will see the scale drop in lbs in 3mo u will be buying diffrent pant sizes 5 months people wont recognize who u r!!! I went from a size 13 jean to a size 3-5 jean. Good luck once again
I hope you are still active on here Beth but I have a few questions for you. I am similar to your weight and I’ve been struggling with migraines and weight gain... if you are still active in here please comment back thanks dear!
Hi. Just wondering how the Topamax worked out for you with your weight loss goals. I was just prescribed it today for my mood disorders & i do need to lose at least 35-40 lbs. I'm off the neurotic thankfully & also taking Vyvanse. Any comments are welcome! XOXO
This med has definitely helped me with weight loss. I've experimented with not taking it and I was much hungrier so I went back on it. I wanted to be sure I really needed this drug after all the months I've been on it. I've lost 70lbs. after weight loss surgery in 8 months but my hunger was kept down by topiramate/topamax during this period and prior to surgery. I wouldn't have been this successful if it weren't for the topiramate. I continue to take it even now to keep the weight off. I take 100 mg 2 times a day and am allowed to take it 3 times a day if needed. Kudos to this drug!!
I actually originally started Topamax due to chronic migraines, but I was also over weight. I struggled with my weight for some time & was diagnosed with fatty liver disease. After starting the Topamax, I changed my eating habits & completely cut caffeine out of my diet. I can't say I've been completely on track & haven't cheated and/or slacked here or there. But I've lost a total of 50 pounds since starting Topamax in February. It is now November. Back in July I had surgery for another Medical issues, so that obviously interfered with my progress. However, I believe if you eat properly & at least try to do some home workouts as I do, you will be able to reach your goal.
My psychiatrist just put me on Topamax to help with night time eating and drinking. I'm taking prozac daily and Vyvanse 5 days a week. My doctor said she has patients who Topamax has helped by reducing anxiety eating at night-- which is a difficult time for me. She uses it regularly with her weight loss patients.
I gained about 20 lbs after starting Prozac which I've never been able to take off. I'm eager to see how this drug will help and will report results here. Thanks to everyone who has commented it was good to read that others have used this drug off label with success.
Related topics
topamax, weight loss (obesity/overweight), weight
Further information
- Topamax uses and safety info
- Topamax prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Topamax (detailed)
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