Topamax and Depression

There are a number of potential side effects with Topamax, and depression is one of the common problems. In clinical studies, up to 13 percent of people taking the medication reported depression. If you are taking Topamax and depression symptoms develop, make sure to talk to your healthcare provider, as depression can be a very serious condition.

 

Is Depression a Topamax Side Effect?

There are several possible side effects for people taking Topamax® (topiramate). Depression may be one of them.
 
Depression is a common complaint in people taking Topamax. In studies, up to 13 percent of people taking Topamax reported depression. This data comes from clinical trials that studied Topamax extensively in thousands of people and documented its side effects.
 

Understanding Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are designed to factor out many possible variables in order to understand whether the medicine works and what its possible side effects are. During a study, some people are given the actual medication, while others are given a placebo (which looks like the actual medication but does not contain any of the active ingredients).
 
Side effects occur in people who are taking the medicine and in people who are taking a placebo. By studying both groups, it becomes easier to tell which side effects are definitely drug-related, which may be drug-related, and which have nothing to do with the drug. Depression was most frequent in people taking Topamax along with other medications for the treatment of epilepsy (13 percent) and was least common in people taking Topamax for migraine headaches (6 percent). Up to 9 percent of people taking Topamax alone (not with other medications) for epilepsy reported depression.
 

Topamax and Depression: Summary

For people taking Topamax, depression may occur. Therefore, if you notice any possible depression symptoms while taking Topamax, or if something "just does not seem right," you should talk to your healthcare provider. He or she will be able to diagnose and treat the problem. If your healthcare provider believes the medicine may be causing your symptoms, he or she may recommend another epilepsy or migraine medication.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;