Her last generalized seizure had occurred 23 years prior, and her last known partial seizure activity had occurred 15 years prior. You may need additional blood tests to monitor your levels while youre taking Topamax. So I've been on Topamax since around September and I've only lost like 3 lbs unfortunately lol. Below are answers to a few frequently asked questions about Topamaxs side effects. In most cases, eye side effects go away if you stop taking the drug. If you take Topamax while pregnant, youre encouraged to sign up with the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry. I'm taking it to help control seizures. I've had minimal side effects -- lots of drinks and foods tasted strange at first, some low-grade headaches for the first couple of months -- but they've mostly disappeared. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere. We avoid using tertiary references. Mild side effects that have been reported with Topamax include: burning or numbness in your hands and feet appetite loss speech problems fatigue dizziness * sleepiness nervousness memory. UPDATE: OMFG! Topamax can cause shifts or changes in mood, including suicidal thoughts. throat irritation. 6. This helps researchers understand the risks of using Topamax during pregnancy, which can help others make decisions about their treatment. Carbonic anhydrase is a zinc metalloenzyme that reversibly catalyzes the conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) and water into carbonic acid (H2CO3), which rapidly dissociates to bicarbonate (HCO3-) and a free proton.18 Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, such as acetazolamide and dorzolamide, prevent this conversion and have been reported to alter carbonation taste perception.19 In one reported case, after taking acetazolamide to prevent altitude sickness mountain climbers noted that their beer tasted like dishwater.20 Another case report described a 31-year-old woman who took acetazolamide to prevent mountain sickness and, within 90 minutes, developed a bitter taste sensation on consuming carbonated soda, tea, and Mexican food.21 The symptoms resolved within 14 hours after acetazolamide discontinuation. Some side effects can cause long-term effects if they arent treated, such as increased pressure in your eye. These may include: Symptoms of eye problems caused by Topamax can include: Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of eye problems while taking Topamax. 2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK. Is this a side effect? But. No, missing a dose of Topamax shouldnt cause side effects. Most people with epilepsy have warning signs during the prodromal or aura stages of a seizure, allowing extra time to get help. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist. I am currently almost off Topamax now. And do not stop using Topamax unless your doctor recommends it. Or you may notice a metallic or unusual taste in your mouth. Understand how melatonin and alcohol interact and how best to take melatonin to avoid negative side effects. Awareness of the two types of migraines, involving the presence of auras, will help you seek the right treatment. Before taking Topamax, tell your doctor if you have bone problems such as osteoporosis. It is hard while you are building up. For full access to this pdf, sign in to an existing account, or purchase an annual subscription. To enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry, visit the registrys site. What Is Parosmia? - WebMD They can recommend next steps based on the symptoms youre having. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how drinking alcohol can affect treatment with Topamax. This medication is also used to prevent migraine headaches and decrease how often you get . Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects of Topamax and ways to deal with them. We avoid using tertiary references. I lost a bunch of weight on Topamax, for several reasons. Specifically, Topamax is used in adults and some children to: The active ingredient in Topamax is topiramate. Liver problems could raise your risk for a high level of ammonia in your blood, which is a possible side effect of Topamax. Generic Topamax (topiramate) is used in combination with phentermine in a weight loss medication called Qsymia. Topamax may cause mood changes, including suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Do the side effects of topamax (topiramate) go away while taking it? Like all medications, Topamax can cause side effects. Highlights of prescribing informationTopamax, A method for estimating the probability of adverse drug reactions, Topiramate in the treatment of partial and generalized epilepsy, Topiramate as an inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes, Carbonic anhydraseIV mediates the fizz of carbonated beverages, Side effects of acetazolamide: the champagne blues, Altered taste secondary to acetazolamide therapy, Energy and nutrient consumption of patients with dysgeusia, The effect of different methods of drinking a carbonated beverage on the pH of dental plaque: an in vivo study, Preventive effects of zinc sulfate on taste alterations in patients under irradiation for head and neck cancers: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Learn more. A systematic review of placebo-controlled trials of topiramate: how useful is a multiple-indications review for evaluating the adverse events of an antiepileptic drug? These side effects may include kidney stones and high blood levels of ammonia (a waste product made by your body). Agitation - taste & smell off while beginning topamax? - Drugs.com For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service. Glaucoma. Mood problems or suicidal thoughts. Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Stupidmax is what I call it. Topamax may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. Drinking alcohol while taking Topamax can increase your risk of certain side effects and increase the chance that theyll be serious. Let your doctor know if you have frequent or uncontrolled diarrhea while youre taking Topamax. I can't drink sodas anymore because they taste just awful - and milk chocolate tastes bad, but dark chocolate tastes fine. And this could increase the chances of Topamax causing a high level of acid as a side effect. After you stop taking Topamax, the symptoms you were taking it for may return. After 35+ years of headaches/migraines and screaming at every GP I could find I finally got to see a neurologist at the Nuffield and have been on topiramate for 5 months. Maria Charbonneau, PharmD, Courtney Doyle-Campbell, PharmD, AHSCP-CHC, Corey Laskey, PharmD, BCPP, Kam Capoccia, PharmD, BCPS, CDE, Carbonation dysgeusia associated with topiramate, American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, Volume 77, Issue 14, 15 July 2020, Pages 11131116, https://doi.org/10.1093/ajhp/zxaa123. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency. Bitter taste in mouth: Symptoms, causes, and home remedies Topamax making carbonated drinks taste flat? : r/Topamax - Reddit How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, burning or numbness in your hands and feet, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry, https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/020505s062,020844s053lbl.pdf, One-hour endoscopic procedure could eliminate the need for insulin for type 2 diabetes, New clues to slow aging? If taken during pregnancy, the drug can cause side effects in children. Available for Android and iOS devices. This is because the drug can cause reduced growth in children. For example, missing Topamax doses could cause you to have a migraine headache. The main thing for me has always been an aversion to pop/soda. Intermarch Contact - Villard-sur-Doron, Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes - Untappd By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Metformin has also been associated with metallic taste, which tends to resolve after a few months of metformin use. Youll get first-hand stories from people living with this condition as well as tips for managing symptoms. If you have breathing problems or lung problems, you may be at increased risk of metabolic acidosis if you take Topamax. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. It is just as hard coming off this drug as it is going on it. Talk with your doctor about the best way to feed your child if youre taking Topamax. For me (i was eventually on 250 mg for migraines) every time I increased my dose I had those symptoms for about 2 or 3 days and then would subside until my next increase.I did discuss the anxiety with my Dr. and he prescribed xanax which helped a lot. Before taking Topamax, tell your doctor if you have mood problems such as depression. The serum topiramate concentration was determined 17 days after topiramate initiation, 3 days after a dosage increase to 75 mg twice daily, and was considered to be in the therapeutic range, at 6.2 g/mL (reference range, 5-20 g/mL). Your doctor can help determine whether treatment with Topamax is safe for you if you have kidney problems. Severe food aversion with topamax? : Topamax - Reddit Be sure to talk with your doctor and pharmacist about all of the drugs you take before starting Topamax. Mouths are sensitive to the effects of carbon dioxide, the substance that initiates the chemical pathway eliciting a fizzy and tingling sensation upon consumption of carbonated beverages.19 Results from Dunkel and Hofmanns18 study suggested that CO2 acts on the sour taste system as well as somatosensory pathways; the fizzy and tingling perception of carbonated beverages is likely due to gustatory and somatosensory inputs leading to multimodal sensation. These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Topamax in clinical trials. Mild side effects from Topamax are common. If you have bone problems before starting Topamax treatment, you may have a higher risk of bone problems related to high acid levels. Those of you on Topamax - what foods and drinks taste weird now? Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Topamax. Talk with your doctor to learn if Topamax is right for you. Cognitive side effects of Topamax can include: Your risk for cognitive side effects from Topamax increases if you start with a high dose, or your dose is increased quickly. They may recommend a different drug for your condition. In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. Its possible to have hair loss while taking Topamax. a common cold. Proxi - Villard-sur-Doron, Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes For these reasons, you should not stop taking Topamax unless your doctor tells you its safe to do so. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with Topamax include: * To learn more about this side effect, see the Side effects explained section below. Question posted by sallymaebooth on 22 April 2013, Last updated on 22 November 2016 by ltwilliams72, I've read on the side effects that agitation is a possible side effect - I've only been taking topamax for a week now. Talk with your doctor if you experience cognitive side effects while taking Topamax. More common side effects in people taking Topamax for epilepsy include: More common side effects in people taking Topamax to prevent migraine headaches include: * For more information about this side effect, see Side effect specifics below. I don't even drink pop anymore. Topamax can cause a high level of acid in the blood. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. If the side effects seem life threatening or if you think youre having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, problems with sleep, such as sleepiness or, speech problems, such as having trouble thinking of the right words to say, eye side effects, such as sudden vision changes*, severe, negative changes in memory or mood, high level of ammonia in the blood, which can cause, trouble with memory, concentration, or thinking clearly, Not in the United States? Does metabolism change or just taste for foods/amts? Dysgeusia can be caused by many different factors, including infection, some medications and vitamin deficiencies. This refers to side effects that affect how you think. Therefore, if carbonic anhydrase 4 is inhibited, taste perception of carbonation may be distorted, diminished, or completely eliminated. Ocular (eye-related) side effects may occur with Topamax. You can also see Topamaxs prescribing information or talk with your doctor or pharmacist. However, its not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials. Gabapentin can help control seizures as well as nerve pain from shingles. These articles might help: Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. Thank you for submitting a comment on this article. And all food tasted weird, exept for garlic for some reason. Hello doctor, I am on topamax (topiramate) and i've lost between 5-10 pounds in just 2 weeks is this healthy? They may recommend a treatment. She was also experiencing mild hand and feet paresthesia, which are commonly reported adverse effects of the medication.14 Bloodwork performed 10 months after topiramate initiation indicated that all values were within normal limits, with the exception of a low alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level (38 U/L [reference range, 50-136 U/L] and low creatinine concentration (0.7 mg/dL [reference range, 0.8-1.3 mg/dL]; neither low value was deemed concerning. Learn more about some of the side effects that Topamax may cause, as well as some tips for dealing with or helping to stop side effects. It may take 8 to 12 weeks for you to see the full effect of Topamax ( topiramate) on your migraine headaches. These side effects are described above. Yes, Topamax may cause sexual side effects, such as decreased sex drive. Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. How should I manage side effects I may have from Topamax. Post discussions, articles, and questions about uses, side effects, experiences, and any advances that may happen with this drug. This is especially helpful to do when you first start taking new drugs or using a combination of treatments. UPDATE: OMFG! inflammation of the gums. Changes in taste was a common side effect reported by people who took Topamax for preventing migraine headaches in clinical trials. sorry but the topamax is totally working and it is worth it!! The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. Mild side effects can occur with Topamax use. Privacy Policy.
Uncle Passed Away Message To Boss, Articles T