TOPAMAX

Drug Uses
Topamax is used for treatment of Treating certain kinds of seizures in patients 2 years of age or older. It is also prescribed to prevent migraine headache in adults. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

How Taken
Use Topamax as directed by your doctor. Take Topamax with or without a meal. Swallow Topamax whole. Do not crush, break or chew before swallowing. It id recommended to drink plenty ofuids while taking Topamax to prevent kidney stones from forming. Suddenly stopping Topamax may cause seizures to occur more often. Stopping therapy should be gradual.

Warnings/Precautions
Before taking Topamax, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances, if you are allergic to any ingredient in Topamax, if you have status epilepticus (continuous seizure activity or a series of seizures without a full return to consciousness), if you have liver or kidney problems, kidney stones, or regularly consume alcohol, have diarrhea, a respiratory tract disease, or you are scheduled for surgery, if you are on a diet that increases the amount of ketones in your blood and results in fruity–smelling breath, if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breast–feeding. If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Topamax during pregnancy. Topamax is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast–feeding, check with your doctor to discuss the risks to your baby. Some medicines may interact with Topamax. Therefore tell your doctor of all prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement that you are taking. Do not take Topamax if you are already taking other carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (eg, acetazolamide). Topamax may reduce sweating, which could raise body temperature, especially in children. The risk of this serious side effect is greater in hot weather and/or during vigorous exercise. Drink plenty ofuids and dress lightly while in hot climates or when exercising. Check carefully for signs of decreased sweating. If this occurs, promptly seek cooler or air–conditioned shelter and/or stop exercising. Seek immediate medical attention if your body temperature is above normal, or if you have mental or mood changes, headache, or dizziness. Additional monitoring of your dose or condition may be needed if you are taking other medicines that reduce sweating. Topamax may result in a change in the acidity (pH) of your blood. If you experience loss of appetite, changes in breathing, tiredness, or change in heart rhythm, contact your health care provider. Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Topamax. Topamax may decrease the effectiveness of your birth control pill. Topamax may alter blood sugar levels in patients taking metformin. Do not use Topamax in children under the age of 2 years. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed.

Missed Dose
If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember. However if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the Missed Dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Possible Side Effects
Some of the Possible Side Effects are- Abnormal skin sensations (numbness or tingling, decreased sensitivity), abnormal walking, agitation or aggression, appetite loss, back pain, breast pain, change in speech, clumsiness, coordination decreased, confusion, constipation, decreased hearing, decreased sweating, depression, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue,u–like symptoms, hotushes, injury, indigestion, infection, itching, leg pain, menstrual disorder, mood swings, muscle pain or contractions, nausea, nervousness, runny nose, saliva increased, sex drive decreased, sinus swelling, skin disorder, stomach ache, strange taste, sore throat, thinking problems, thirst, tremor, unstable emotions, vomiting. Contact your doctor if any of these or other side effects occur. If you experience any of the following serious side effects, you should seek medical attention immediately- allergic reactions (rash, hives, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue), blood in the urine, blurred vision or sudden worsening of vision, chest pain, difficulty concentrating, fast, deep breathing, feeling of moving slowly, increased body temperature, irregular heartbeat, loss of consciousness, memory problems, painful/red eyes, prostate problems, severe stomach pain, significant weight loss, speech problems, stupor, unexplained fever, unusual eye movements, unusual tiredness, urinary incontinence, urinary tract infection.

Storage
Store Topamax at 59 – 86 °F (15 –30 °C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Topamax out of the reach of children.

Overdose
If overdose is suspected seek medical attention immediately. Some of the symptoms of Topamax overdose are- abnormal coordination, agitation, blurred vision, convulsions, depression, dizziness, drowsiness, lethargy, mental impairment, speech disturbance, stomach pain, stupor.

More Information
Topamax may cause dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, difficulty concentrating, or blurred vision. These effects may worsen if Topamax is taken with alcohol or certain other medications. Use Topamax with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to this drug. If your symptoms do not improve or if they worsen, contact your doctor. Topamax should be used only by the patient for whom it has been prescribed. Do not take less or more or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Disclaimer
This is only general information, it does not cover all directions, drug integrations or precautions. You should not rely on it for any purpose, it does not contain any specific instructions for a particular patient. We disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of this information. We`re not responsible for any damage.