Topamax and Nausea: What Users Say

• BRM...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 8, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "On Topamax for 15 years for migraine prevention. Has changed my life. After trying so many things for years and having the quality of my life being severely impacted by migraines, this wonder drug has lessened the pain and nausea from a 9 to a 1."

• Bec...
• July 7, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I was given Topamax about 2 months ago for recurring migraines; it did nothing but make my life a living nightmare. I started with complete loss of appetite followed by extreme nausea. After that, the psychological effects started. I became extremely paranoid. The anxiety and paranoia got worse the longer I was on Topamax, which was soon accompanied by intense depression. Next came the hallucinations. I would see paintings moving on the walls, see colors and shapes moving across the floor, and I would hear voices multiple times a day. I fully regret ever taking this drug. I want my life back."

• Los...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I'm definitely losing weight extremely fast with this medication. I took 25 mg at night the first 30 days and I'm now on the start of the third month at 50 mg at night. Also, 37.5 mg Adipex every morning. With Topamax, I CANNOT eat. Everything I eat makes me sick. It definitely changes your sense of taste and smell, which has pretty much stopped my smoking. So, there are huge benefits, just the side effects can be a little unbearable at times. I've lost 28.7 pounds in 2 months."

• Liz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Two weeks ago, my Dr. prescribed Topamax to help aid my weight loss and reach my goals. All was well until last Friday, every food and drink, except for water and Gatorade, made me nauseous and sometimes vomit. Constant constipation or raging diarrhea. None of the foods or drinks had much taste. No appetite but growling stomach. My feet were constantly tingling. I started getting dizzy and blacking out. Horrible breast pain and just felt horrible. It was the lowest dose prescribed, so I stopped it last night and have an appointment tomorrow morning. The more I researched the drug, it's horrible for your body - eyes, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system to name a few. Just not worth it!"

• Hea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "Topamax saved my life! I'm currently on 25 mg and will go up if needed. I woke up every single day from a headache. It literally got to the point where I didn't want to wake up. The only side effect I had was nausea for about 3 days but it was gone after that. It took about a week for it to start working for me. I haven't been so happy in my entire life! Headaches controlled my life but not anymore!"

• Tyl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "I don’t typically write reviews on medications but feel I need to for this one. I have had migraines with aura for quite some time, but recently worsened over the last year. I finally saw my PCP for treatment and was placed on 25 mg of Topamax, which I was to slowly increase over a 3-week period to 2 tablets twice a day. The first week was 1 tablet at night for 7 days. I started the medication on a Monday, and by Wednesday I already developed absolutely no appetite and persistent nausea. But I continued taking it, thinking it would pass. By Friday, I had developed fatigue and general malaise. On top of that, I still had no appetite and had eaten very little over the five days I had been on the medication. My mood was terrible, and I felt like I was in a persistent state of being hungover day after day. DON’T take this med if you can use other options for migraine prophylaxis. This medication causes more burdens than benefits."

• stu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I've been suffering from migraines for over 10 years now, and 5 years ago, I started with propranolol, then Depakine, which didn't help, and now Topamax eventually. Topamax is awful. It made me feel suicidal. I started with 25 mg and followed the 4-week steps in upping the dose like the doctor said. My family started to see a personality change instantly. When I reached the 100 mg 2/day dose, things started to get worse. For 3 weeks, I was nauseous, I couldn’t get up, started to feel stupid, I had exams, and I couldn’t focus at all, strange taste in mouth, numbness in hands and feet, and the tiredness. I slept for days and was still tired. This medication is DANGEROUS. I never wanted to die so badly. Please think about this."

• Lif...
• January 18, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I was put on Topamax in September 2019 to treat lifelong migraines. I suffered very severe side effects across the board. My brain got foggy, and I started dropping words or leaving sentences unfinished. I developed a skin reaction to metal, and the skin peeled off under my wedding ring and where my bra clasp met my skin. The worst part was the crippling depression and anxiety. I spent hours crying. I developed such severe anxiety and insomnia that I stopped going to bed. I would just sit on the couch all night in a fog or fighting through panic attacks. I was prescribed Ativan to manage the anxiety. My GP put me on suicide watch and started to taper off the Topamax dosage. Before I was completely off, I developed an allergic reaction: my face, hands, and feet swelled, and I developed full-body hives. I ended up in the ER, where I was put on a high dose of steroids and antihistamines. I went through horrible Topamax withdrawal, which left me nauseous and with the worst headache of my life."

• Joj...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "This is the worst medication ever. Started at 25 mg for 7 days at night, then moved up to 50 mg. On night 7, advanced each week up until 100 mg. Didn't get past day 12 and decided this was not going to work for me. Vertigo, nausea, loss of appetite, irrational fears, phobias, drug-induced fog, depression, ringing in ears, and can only smell certain strange odors, which are unpleasant. All carbonated drinks are flat and tasteless. At this point, your quality of life is beyond worthless. It helped with migraines...but I was so preoccupied and sick with side effects I'm not sure what was worse."

• Tam...
• September 4, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I have had estrogen- and barometric migraines since my mid-twenties. I was noticing that the intensity and frequency of said migraines were getting worse over time (I'm 47 now). I was over-prescribed Imitrex and was having rebound migraines, suffering 20 migraines per month. So far, I've been on this medication for a little over 2 weeks, and am on 25 mg. I don't think I need to go any higher right now, which is fine by me. For the first 4 days, I had a horrid migraine, felt dizzy, and had some nausea. After that, I started feeling a lot better, more alert, no pain, felt sharper too. I'm in peri-menopause and have noticed that I get a migraine around the time of my period, but it's about a 5 or 6 instead of a 10. So far, it is working with very few side effects."

• Won...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 20, 2014

For Migraine Prevention "I've been taking Topamax (brand) for approximately ten years. Due to severe migraines, this was the only medication to prevent what had been debilitating headaches, nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light, smell, sound, movement, and dizziness. After several years, my insurance refused to continue payment of the brand until I tried the generic tablets. After 3 days, the original symptoms returned. They finally approved continued payment of the brand, and now, two years later, they again have refused to cover (pay) for the medication, although it falls under the plan. For three months, my neurologist and I have issued appeals with no clear explanation of the denial. I would just like to again take meds to rid myself of this pain."

• thi...
• August 8, 2013

For Migraine Prevention "My migraines are primarily abdominal, but I get daily 'tension' type headaches as well. But my nausea 'attacks' are totally debilitating, and the headaches get more so every day. I took Topamax starting at 25 mgs, then increased. I noticed it really helping my symptoms, way less nausea, headaches stopped, and I could sleep well. Unfortunately, I am one of the people who react with a rare side effect of an acute onset closed-angle glaucoma attack, and my vision got very blurry and got so bad I could not see anything but blobs if it was more than 12 inches from my face. If you get blurred vision, go to the ER and show them the letter from the Topamax website, because the ER had never heard of that reaction. I gave it a 5 because it worked until then."

• Ljr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 15, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I have had migraines since my first son was born nearly 27 years ago. They had become more and more frequent... almost daily. I was using the maximum amount of Maxalt that my insurance would allow. I asked my doctor for a prophylactic medication for migraines. I am now up to 100 mg of Topiramate 2 times daily. Yes, there are some side effects. I have some tingling in my hands, sometimes my mouth is dry. If I don't have to work or don't have a lot planned, I feel tired and lazy. I crave fewer sweets/food in general... sometimes feel a little nauseated. I was losing weight (20 lbs) before starting the medication and continued after. I have stabilized at a 40 lb weight loss. No other side effects. Restless legs are gone. Better sleep."

• WKB...
• June 9, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I had a horrible experience on this medication back in 2005/2006. I started on a low dose of 25 mg/day and had severe nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, confusion, and memory impairment. Worked up to 50 mg 2x/day, and the nausea/diarrhea eventually abated, but the dizziness, fatigue, confusion, and memory problems continued, and I developed a bad tremor in my hands - I was dropping everything, couldn’t write legibly, and spilled food constantly. And I still had 10-15 debilitating migraines a month. Had to wean off it, but 10+ years later I STILL HAVE MILD HAND TREMORS. Worst medication experience of my life."

• hea...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 23, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I've found Topamax to be a useful tool in migraine prevention. I've been fighting these now for over 25 years, and I've gone as far as having sinus surgery and dentures to replace my top teeth to reduce the triggers of these monstrous headaches. I've come to believe there's no magic pill to take it all away, but Topamax reduces the severity greatly. The little tingling sensation will go away, and saltiness is great when you have to take meds and don't have a full stomach. It helps with the nausea. Whether Topamax is the drug for you-don't lose hope. Just keep trying to find the right combination of diet change, sleep, trigger reduction, and meds until you find what works for you."

• Lar...
• July 31, 2013

For Migraine Prevention "At first, this medication impaired my ability to drive a lot. My depth perception was way off, making it very dangerous for me to be on the road. Over time, I did notice my migraines were less often, and sometimes I would get all the symptoms of a migraine (light sensitivity, nausea) but no pain, kind of like a ghost migraine, which was weird and inconvenient. For the most part, I think this medication is worth a try. I am currently on 25 mg."

• sal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "I took this for 5 days and nearly tore my hair out. So much nervousness, anxiety, dizziness, nausea, and tiredness! I cannot function on this pill. 25 mg per day, and the doctor told me to increase to 100 mg per day. I think I would have died, and plus, it does NOT work."

• Tos...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 25, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "Was on Topamax 200 mg 2x a day for eight years. It cut back on my daily migraines. Went down to about 2-3x a week. I lost 125 pounds in the first year I was on it. No appetite. Food tasted metallic, flat, or just weird. I did get one kidney stone. After years of being on a high dose, I started getting chest pain. My doctor took me off Topamax about 7 years ago. I had bad withdrawals after weaning off, no seizures thankfully. Migraines have been daily again for the last 18 months. Tried to go back on Topamax, but I can't tolerate it anymore. After one 25 mg tablet at bedtime, I woke up with a severe headache, dizziness, and nausea. The next night I took one tablet, and the side effects were increased. I stopped. Side effects were bad for two weeks. No thanks."

• Anonymous
• September 5, 2009

For Seizure Prevention "I've been on this medication for 3 years now for my seizures (50 mg/2 daily) and have not had any episodes since. At first, I would get a tingling feeling in my fingers and toes (like soda fizz), but it went away once my body was used to the drug. Recently, my pharmacy switched me to the generic version, and I hated it. Immediately that first day, I would get crazy headaches, feel dizzy, sick to my stomach, and I couldn't concentrate on anything. I went back to my neurologist and got a new prescription for brand name only and have not had any problems since. I was also still using the drug during my recent pregnancy and am happy to report no problems or side effects whatsoever."

• Sme...
• April 16, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I have been on a generic 25 mg daily dose for a week now for migraines. The positive is that I finally have a break in the migraine of 8 plus days, no tingling in extremities as others mentioned. No additional mental fog. Cola taste is flat, and that is a plus to me as I need to drink more water. The negative is the nausea that occurs after I take the pill, and it is horrible, but I counter it with a suppository of Phenergan (sp). Of course, that knocks me out for hours. I was to increase the dosage to 50 mg, but the doctor gave okay to wait another week. This is a promising option for me after 16 years of suffering. And I have tried numerous meds over that time."

• cin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 6, 2021

For Fibromyalgia "I went on Topamax 9 months ago. At first, it seemed to work. Then, 2 months later, in the beginning of summer, I realized I stopped sweating. Then the hair loss started. I became extremely constipated, muscles were sore, feet and hands felt like needles. Towards the end, my muscles became weak and a lot of nausea. I still had migraines on a regular basis. My body hurt so much. After 9 months, I had severe diarrhea and vomiting. After being off the pill about 2 weeks later, my body started feeling better. Doctor says it is the only pill I have left to use. I would rather have the migraines than how awful this pill made me feel."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 26, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "I love Topamax. I can only take the minimal dosage, or else I will get the tingling and start to feel a little out of it. I was suffering from silent migraines for over a year and a half. Nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, light-headedness, fatigue, upset stomach, and daily headaches, but the headaches could be cured with ibuprofen. Of course, it took a while to figure out that these symptoms were all caused by migraines, but they were, and after taking Topamax for 2 weeks, I stopped having silent migraines. I even went off of it after about 3 months of being on it, just to see if my body had possibly regulated itself, but it had not. I was sick again in no time. It was horrible. It took about 2 weeks for the Topamax to kick back in."

• Cis...
• January 30, 2013

For Migraine Prevention "Took my first dose of 25 mg on a Wednesday evening. That Thursday morning, I woke up with nausea and diarrhea that only became more severe as the day went on. Had to leave work due to the severe nausea. Went to sleep around 2 p.m. and didn't wake up until 1 p.m. Friday. The only benefits I can say I had were the loss of weight (159 lbs at appointment on Thursday/155.5 lbs on Sunday), and I was able to quit smoking as I didn't have the urge to."

• Anonymous
• April 8, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "Topamax worked great to prevent migraines, however, the side effects that I experienced were not worth the prevention. I experienced numbness and tingling in my extremities, severe problems with word retrieval, a complete inability to focus or concentrate, anxiety, agitation, and severe mood issues (I became very angry and upset at the smallest of things). But what finally did me in was severe epigastric pain, nausea, dizziness, and disorientation that came about suddenly and was persistent until I titrated myself off the medication after a visit to the urgent care. As soon as I got off Topamax, the migraines were back every day, and I question which was worse - the migraines or the side effects."

• Dra...
• September 3, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I started taking Topamax to prevent migraines. I take Imitrex (triptans) as an abortive when I get full-blown attacks, but I was getting so many of them it was ridiculous, and I was always running out of Imitrex. Let me say that Topamax is a tricky med that can have very weird/unpleasant side effects. Please use it with caution. I'm rather shocked to be reading that some patients have been prescribed starting doses of 200 mg daily. Yikes! That's high. I was put on 25 mg for 2 weeks, then 50 mg for another 2 weeks and did quite well on those doses. However, when I hit 75-100 mg, I felt sick to my stomach, so I barely ate anything. I was also very tired and lethargic. I waited a while, thinking the side effects might eventually go away. Apparently, sometimes they do, but in my case, they didn't. I still felt really yucky, so I was put back on 50 mg. So far, so good and with fewer migraines and some pounds lost. Conclusion: I do horribly on the higher doses, but great on the lower ones."