Topamax User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

• Anonymous
• March 24, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "Topamax is truly a lifesaver. I have been on this for many years now for migraine prevention, and I too would get the 'pins and needles' tingling sensation in hands and feet. I've found a daily multivitamin helps with that, and believe it or not, prenatal vitamins take it completely away. I hope this helps!"

• 4gr...
• July 14, 2008

For Bipolar Disorder "Have used Topamax for over 2 years, in conjunction with Wellbutrin. Never knew that life was quite like this. I am now almost 53 years old. To think that I lived so many years never being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. I am so happy that life is so wonderful because of Topamax. Only side effect has been weight loss but, that really is a good thing. It is wonderful to be back at my true weight because the bipolar disorder is now managed."

• nik...
• March 23, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been taking 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 works 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, it's been way too long for being overweight 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."

• SP8...
• September 10, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I cannot recommend this medication. Yes, it did prevent migraines, but the side effects far outweighed the benefit. My doctor put me on a gradual increase in dosage, and I was unable to get past the first week. After a couple of days, I lost control of my own thoughts and focused on every negative my mind could come up with. My work was impacted. I work in an accounting office and lost my ability to count and remember the alphabet. Not to mention, I would stop talking in mid-sentence quite often. I knew what I needed to say, but my mouth just wouldn't do it. My short-term memory was non-existent, and I decided to stop taking this medication after I forgot where I was driving to on my way to work; the same place I've been to for the last 9 years."

• Mig...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 3, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I've read many of the poor reviews, and wonder how many refer to the generic version of Topamax. I can't use the generic version - it simply doesn't work for me, and I do recall more side effects. However, the brand name drug has been a lifesaver for me. I suffered with chronic daily migraine for over a decade before being placed on Topamax, and NO other drug helped. I was on beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, every medication for seizure disorders, and talk about side effects! They were horrific! I could barely function at work, missed lots of time, and essentially had no life. Topamax has made a major difference. I now have many fewer migraines, rarely contend with chronic daily migraine, and I've experienced no major side effects"

• Sun...
• May 10, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "After getting a blistering skin rash from Lamictal, Topamax was prescribed. It did decrease my appetite. I went from 209 lbs back to my regular 135, which I hadn't been in 7 years. This took place in about 10 months. At about the same time I started taking it, I was rear-ended and suffered a MTBI and scored very low on my neuropsych exam. My old psychiatrist retired, and the new psychiatrist is against Topamax because of the 'foggy' side effects that are common. Now, a little over a year later, I feel okay about this med considering the alternatives - wish there were better alternatives!"

• 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!"

• Emi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "After trying everything and failing to get my migraines under control, I was at rock bottom. My doctor suggested Topiramate, and it has changed my life. I can go out and live a normal life and not worry about what will happen if I get a migraine or how quickly I can get home. My migraines have completely stopped since I have upped the dose from 25mg to 50mg. I get some tingling in my legs, but I can cope with that if it means no migraines forever. It’s a miracle drug."

• Sco...
• 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 - 200 mg 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."

• Kit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 11, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I've tried it twice. The first time was about 7 years ago and I lost a modest amount of weight easily. I can't remember how much. It made me thirsty, so I drank a lot of water, and it took away my craving for junk food. The second time was at the end of May 2016. I took 100mg at night. I lost 10 pounds in about 5-6 weeks easily. I had no desire to snack or eat emotionally. The only downside was that I was anxious a lot. I have now plateaued, but at least I'm not gaining weight. I should try to up the dose. At least the anxiety has largely decreased."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2018

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I gained a lot of weight from depression medications. They put me on Topamax to fix that. I’ve been on it for several weeks. Twice a day, 25 mg. Now the first day, I immediately noticed an appetite change. I haven’t craved food all day, every day. I haven’t craved as much junk or sweets. And I have dropped a little weight. So it definitely works wonders. I am definitely struggling with the side effects, so I think I am going to wean off it. As much as I’d love to continue to eat regular amounts and lose weight, the side effects are too much. Before I started this, I had tingles in my hands and feet, but this intensified a LOT. I’m also having a lot of head pressure, tiredness, and I feel functionally slow. I feel like I can’t think, can’t remember anything, can’t do simple tasks. Hopefully, there is another medicine that can have the same effect for weight loss and appetite without these severe side effects."

• 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."

• KDa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 17, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I was put on Topamax (brand name) in 2007 as I was having migraine headaches five and six times a month at a minimum (not just bothersome 'headaches' but full-on pain with severe vomiting and preventing me from going to work). At the time, my insurance covered it, and my copay was $10 a month. The only bad side effect I experienced was the tingling in my feet (sometimes severe), but it was worth it considering I went down to one migraine the first year I was on it. I called it my miracle drug (and I lost 30 lbs!). It gave me my life back... and then it came off the insurance company's formulary and went from $10 to $60 a month. As a newly divorced mom, I was unable to afford that, but I was able to move to the generic Topiramate - which only became a nightmare, and I now have lifelong issues (separate review for it)."

• Rac...
• 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 too pleased with the side effects, however. I feel fuzzy all day, like I'm on a cloud. Dizzy, tingling, and numbness 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 to. I don't see myself taking this medication long term. I'd rather try and lose the weight naturally. Not worth all the side effects."

• Anonymous
• July 16, 2014

For Migraine Prevention "By the time I started Topamax, I was getting migraines 2-4 days a week. Topamax seemed like the best fix. And for a while, it was. My migraines significantly reduced, though I did get most of the common side effects: slight tingling in my fingers, carbonated beverages tasted gross, and weight loss. My main warning about this medicine is weight loss. It seems to be paraded as a benefit, and to some it may be, but if you are already naturally slim, pay very close attention. I wound up dropping to an unhealthy weight despite all attempts to counter it, and it's ultimately why I had to stop Topamax. I was unwillingly wasting away. When I stopped, my migraines returned in short order, and I'm still looking for an alternative that works."

• Pen...
• May 16, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed bipolar 2 about 3 years ago. I am a 36-year-old female. I was originally given Topamax 50mg at night with Seroquel 50mg, as well as a variety of antidepressants and Klonopin for anxiety. That worked great for a while until it didn't, and I weaned myself off everything. DON'T DO THAT!! I had a horrible hypomanic episode followed by a 4-month depressive crash. I'm now on Latuda, Celexa, Klonopin, and my good buddy Topamax. I have had no serious side effects from Topamax. A little hair loss (more like extra hair in the brush) but it's only noticeable to me. Not bad. No word loss, no memory problems. I'm in grad school with a near 4.0 GPA. It helps me maintain my weight so the other meds don't affect me."

• Ood...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 28, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "Topamax is by far the best migraine preventative I have ever tried. I take 100mg at night and have even been on 200mg - 1 100mg in the AM and 1 100mg in the PM. My neurologist and I discussed Topamax and figured it was worth a shot since my chronic, daily migraines were uncontrollable and I was getting Imitrex injections almost every week and could no longer take Toradol. Unlike other people, I have very few side effects. I weaned off Topamax once to try Gabapentin but it by itself wasn't enough and my migraines returned full force. Very few side effects: trouble finding words, thirst, and weight loss (not that I mind). Topamax is a wonderful drug and a LIFESAVER. It and my Gabapentin together is my divine combo!"

• Anonymous
• August 14, 2010

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "I was diagnosed with trauma-induced neuropathy in my left heel following an injury that became infected, developed cellulitis, and an ulcer. It took 2 months of intensive treatment for my foot to heal, but about 3 weeks after I returned to work, I started experiencing sharp, electrical-type pain in my heel. It was excruciating. My doctor prescribed Neurontin at first, but I was not able to tolerate it. I was switched to Topamax, and within a day, I had full relief, and since then, I have been pain-free. Yes, I am a juvenile diabetic, but I had never had problems with my feet until this happened. The neuropathy is confined to my left heel only. Topamax is the best. The side effects are minimal, but even if they weren't, it's worth it to be pain-free."

• Cra...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 6, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "Miracle drug for me! I seem to have a bad reaction to every drug that is specifically for bipolar! No, I'm not as creative as I was, but it's between being so high and then crashing so far down or a good steady me! I'll take this compared to a hospital any day."

• bri...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 22, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Been on/off Topamax since I was 15, I'm now 21. First time I took Topamax at 15, I went from 235lbs to 114lbs. Over time I got used to it & couldn't find something to help with my binge eating disorder. I gained all the weight I lost & more over a 5-year period of trying to lose it/find the right meds to help. In 2012 at 17 years old, I tried Topamax & had bad anxiety so that didn't last long. In 2015 at 20 years old, I weighed 248lbs, the biggest I've been. I was on phentermine (diet pill, 37.5mg) for a few months but was starting to get used to it. Decided to try Topamax again (50mg 2x a day) along with Vyvanse (ADHD/binge eating, 70mg) & Lexapro (depression, 20mg). Currently 160lbs. Always adjusting my meds though, I seem to get used to them quickly."

• nee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 22, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I have been on Topamax 100 mg twice a day since July of this year. Once in the morning and once in the evening. I have been a chronic migraine sufferer for at least ten years, having at least 8-10 migraines per month, lasting at least 24 hours at a time. I was unable to leave a dark room and often ended up in the hospital. My doctor started me off on 25 mg twice a day, gradually working me up to 100 mg twice a day. This is the best thing that has ever happened to me! Migraines are down to about 1 to 2 a month. I can actually live my life! Yes, I have lost about 30 pounds since July (almost 5 months), luckily, I had it to lose. But I feel like a new person! My memory was slightly foggy at first, but my body adjusted and I feel great!"

• rev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Please do not take this medication! It's not worth it! I had put on some weight, and doc wanted me to take this to curb appetite. It has caused me to become angry, severely depressed, having crying spells, overly sensitive for no reason, tingling in legs and hands, eye issues, and foggy head. It's been only 3 weeks, and I am now tapering off because I have been snapping on everyone. I was only on 50 mg, and even tapering to 35 mg didn't lessen the side effects."

• Hal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 19, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "On this medication to prevent migraines. It works like a charm. I had migraines almost daily, and now I only have them the day before my period starts. I have not had the weight loss side effect people talk about, though."

• Nea...
• February 10, 2014

For Migraine Prevention "Topamax literally saved my life! I have been getting headaches often since I was 14 or so. They progressed to full-blown migraines after my 3rd child (I was 28 in 2004) and increased from there. By 2008/2009, they had gotten so bad I was literally having paralysis on the left side of my face, could not keep my eyes open at all, severe vomiting. Once I had one, there was no driving or I'd run off the road. Thankfully after getting no relief from several medications, including visits to the ER, ENT, and neurologist to try and figure out something... I was prescribed Topamax. I use 50mg a day with 2 Aleve & 500mg Magnesium. It pretty much wiped out my migraines. I got pretty much all the side effects, but who cares? I'm not suffering every day anymore. :)"

• Ain...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 20, 2017

For Fibromyalgia "Diagnosed with fibro and CFS after a car accident. Began to get vertigo, light, and sound sensitivity on top of all the usual symptoms. They would stay for weeks. Found out eventually it was an aura of migraine. Topamax sorted me out. No more brain fog, vertigo, audio, or photo sensitivity. The tiredness also lifted, I can stay awake all day but can't overdo it. Pain is still there, though, but I feel so normal after so many years of dysfunction, it's unbelievable. It's like someone unscrambled me!!! I'm on 175 mg, 100 mg in the morning, and 75 mg in the afternoon."