Topamax and Hair Loss: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Sar...
• September 13, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I'm still new to this medicine, but I'm still on it. I'm still in high school, so I get migraines due to stress a lot. Every morning, I'm starting to wake up super early, ready to go and super hyper. So hyper that I'm shaking like crazy to the point it looks like I have a tremor. I'm more outgoing on this medication. I am losing a little bit of my hair, but I'm okay with it. At least I don't have migraines."

• Ann...
• February 2, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I had been taking Topamax for a year, but have just taken myself off due to excessive hair loss, loss of concentration and memory, and sleep problems. My hair was falling out by the handfuls every day, and the concentration and memory loss were preventing me from working, as I am a translator. I have been on propranolol 160 mg daily for 2 years now and have had good results from that, with not too many side effects. I take rizatriptan when I do get a migraine, and it stops it usually. If it doesn't, I take Fioricet as well, and that works."

• Esp...
• June 2, 2009

For Migraine Prevention "I used Topamax for less than a year. I loved it for the first 7 months because it got rid of my headaches and reduced my appetite. Then I began to notice side effects that made me anxious to get off of it. My fingernails became really thin, I was depressed, and my hair was really falling out. I was taking 600 mg of Topamax, which sounds like more than a lot of people, but I found out online that many other people experienced the same symptoms on lower doses. I had to wean myself off Topamax and am starting Elavil."

• Anonymous
• June 30, 2010

For Migraine Prevention "I took this medication for nearly two months before seeking a second opinion about my hormonal migraines. I was only having 1-2 migraines a month; however, they would last 4-5 days at a time. When the pain medications didn't help, my doctor started me on Topamax. I do a great deal of technical writing and crisis management in my job, and my migraines really got in the way. I was able to deal with the weight loss and taste changes, but the difficulty in concentrating became a serious issue. When I started losing hair, that was the last straw. If my migraines became worse, I may return to Topamax, though."

• Anonymous
• February 6, 2011

For Migraine Prevention "I just started taking Topamax a little over 2 weeks ago. I am up to 100 mg a day. I am starting to really notice some short-term memory issues, however, I have not had a migraine, let alone a single headache since starting the medicines. Everything has started tasting weird since starting the 100 mg dose. I used to drink at least 4 cups of coffee a day and can't stand to drink it at all. The bonus is that it has helped with the caffeine withdrawal. I am also a smoker, and it has helped reduce my craving for tobacco! I have read a lot of the posts on here and am seriously concerned about many of the side effects, such as hair loss. However, the weight loss aspect is really appealing. I haven't lost anything yet though."

• Ano...
• October 20, 2011

For Migraine Prevention "Topamax worked pretty well for my daily headaches/migraines. I was down to using 6 of the 9 Imitrex pills that I usually suffered the rest of the month needing more of before. It also helped my cravings for alcohol (former binge drinker) and sugar significantly. Topamax works for so many things- but there were 2 side effects that I couldn't deal with- irritability and hair loss. I recently had the same experience with Keppra- minus the benefits of Topamax. I have gone through all the seizure medicines with minimal benefit, and all have caused hair loss for me except Zonegran, which didn't help my headaches at all."

• bec...
• October 29, 2024

"I’ve been taking 100 mg 2x daily for several years for tremors. I feel now it’s not working as well as it did originally. I’ve also lost a lot of hair, I don’t gain weight at all. I really have no appetite."

• bec...
• October 29, 2024

"I’ve been taking 100 mg 2x daily for several years for tremors. I feel now it’s not working as well as it did originally. I’ve also lost a lot of hair, I don’t gain weight at all. I really have no appetite."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 20, 2012

For Fibromyalgia "Weight loss great but hair loss is not worth it."

• Nel...
• July 8, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "Medicine works, but my hair is falling out after being on 100 mg a day for 6 months."

• lea...
• October 14, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "Caused hair loss, moods were crazy-very anxious and memory loss. After 8 weeks, the weight loss is not worth it. 5 lbs, and I bet that was just in hair loss!"