What is Topamax Generic Topiramate?

Topamax or Generic Topiramate by Sun Pharma was discovered in 1979 and it has been used for treatment of epileptic seizures. It is used both for treating epilepsy in adults, but also in children who are older than 2. In children, it is also indicated or use in treating Lennox-Gastaut syndrome which is a particularly severe form of epilepsy that also causes developmental delay. Another very common use for Topamax (Topiramate) is in the prevention of migraine headaches, while it has also been prescribed for bipolar disorder. It is also being studied for other uses, but its main uses are still the treatment of epileptic seizures and prevention of migraine headaches.

Topamax is the brand name for a medication called topiramate, which was developed in the late 1970s and which has since been used for two main purposes. The first one is in treatment of epileptic seizures. One of the uses which make it different from the most other anticonvulsants is in the treatment of a condition known as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. This syndrome is a very severe form of epilepsy that affects children and which causes seizures but also developmental delay. Another common use for generic Topamax (Topiramate) is in the treatment of migraine headaches, or more precisely their prevention. Namely, once the migraine starts, Topamax will not help with the episode. It is a prevention method. Topamax is also sometimes used in treatment of bipolar disorder, while other uses are being studied. For example, Topamax has been used in treating posttraumatic stress disorder, binge eating, alcoholism, essential tremor, OCD, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, borderline personality disorder and neuropathic pain. However, it is still mainly an anti-epileptic drug.

Before you order Topamax (Topiramate)

Before you order Topamax online and start using it for your condition, you have to talk to your doctor. The first reason for this is that not all types of epilepsy can be treated with Topamax. There are some types which will not be affected by the use of topiramate and you might need to use an alternative anticonvulsant. Also, certain medical condition may be affected by the use of generic Topamax and you need to make sure that you will be safe when using the medication. The only person who can decide if it will be safe is your doctor who needs to become acquainted with your medical history and the current state of your health. For instance, if you are allergic to the medication, your doctor needs to know this so that they can recommend some other anticonvulsant medication. You also need to let them know if you are suffering from any of the following: breathing disorders like asthma or emphysema, low bone density, osteoporosis, growth disorder, glaucoma, liver disease, kidney disease, history of kidney stones, history of depression and history of metabolic acidosis. You will still be able to take Topamax, but your dosage may need adjusting and your progress might need to be monitored more closely.

Topamax and pregnancy

The use of Topamax during pregnancy is a tricky question. For instance, if you are already taking Topamax in order to control your epilepsy, you must not cease using it until you consult your doctor, as a seizure may be very harmful for the baby as well as you. However, Topamax may also cause certain birth defects in the fetus and your doctor might switch you to an anticonvulsant that is not as likely to cause birth defects. Also, keep in mind that the use of Topamax may affect the effectiveness of birth control pills, which is why you might want to consider additional birth control methods.

Using Topamax properly

The first thing you need to do when you buy Topamax and start your treatment is to make sure that you take it exactly as prescribed. This means that you must not make any changes to your regimen on your own and that you must not cease using the medication before your doctor tells you to. For instance, some people mistake the absence of epileptic episodes with the cured condition and they stop taking Topamax. This is very dangerous, as you might experience new epileptic seizures if you stop using topiramate.

There are some other measures of precaution that you need to take when using Topamax. For instance, you should drink plenty of water, as Topamax may cause you to become dehydrated. Drinking water also reduces the risks of developing kidney stones. Also, if you are scheduled for any surgery, make sure you inform the surgeon that you are using this medication. It is possible that you will be told to stop using it for some time before surgery. If you feel that your reactions or thinking are impaired upon ingesting Topamax, do not drive or do anything dangerous. Also, alcohol can increase these side effects. In addition to this, alcohol can increase the likelihood of experiencing seizures which is another reason to stay away from alcohol when using Topamax (Topiramate).

Topamax side effects

The most common side effects of Generic Topamax are mild and they should not cause any worry. They include sore throat, stuffy nose, sneezing, weight loss, diarrhea, tingly feeling, nervousness and mild dizziness. The more serious side effects of Topamax are extremely rare and they include difficult urination, severe pain in the sides or lower back, problems with speech and balance, troubles concentrating, memory issues, increased thirst, dry mouth, sudden vision loss. You need to report immediately if any of these occur, as well as if you notice any changes to your mood or behavior.