Topamax

Topamax is a prescription drug that is licensed for treating epilepsy and preventing migraine headaches. By slowing electrical signals and calming nerve cells in the brain, the medication can help prevent seizures and migraines. Topamax comes in the form of tablets and "sprinkle" capsules, and is usually taken twice a day. Potential side effects of Topamax include fatigue, drowsiness, and dizziness.

 

What Is Topamax?

Topamax® (topiramate) is a prescription medication used to treat various conditions that affect the nervous system.
 

Who Makes Topamax?

Topamax is made by Ortho-McNeil Neurologics.
 

What Is Topamax Used For?

Specific Topamax uses include:
 
(Click Topamax Uses for more information on what Topamax is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
 

How Does Topamax Work?

It is not entirely clear how Topamax works for epilepsy or migraines. An epileptic seizure occurs as the result of abnormal electrical signals in the brain. Topamax slows those signals, helping to prevent seizures. The medication also works similarly for migraine headaches. It is thought that migraines may be triggered by nerve cells in the brain that are too easily excited. Topamax helps calm the nerve cells, working to prevent a migraine from ever starting.
 

Topamax Effects

In studies, Topamax increased the time until the next seizure and decreased the number of seizures. In one study of adults with epilepsy, approximately 75 percent of people taking Topamax 400 mg per day were seizure-free for at least one year.
 
In one study of Topamax for preventing migraines, Topamax 200 mg per day reduced the average number of migraines from 5.5 per month to 3.1 per month.
 
(Topamax Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;