Topamax

Topamax is used for:

Treating seizures in certain patients. It may be used alone or with other medicines. It is also used to prevent migraine headaches. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Topamax is an anticonvulsant that is also effective for preventing migraine headaches. It affects several chemicals in the brain that help to reduce seizure activity and prevent migraine headaches from occurring.

Do NOT use Topamax if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Topamax
• you are taking a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (eg, acetazolamide)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Topamax :

Some medical conditions may interact with Topamax . Tell your health care provider if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have liver or kidney problems, kidney stones, osteoporosis (weak bones), or metabolic problems, you drink alcohol regularly, or you are on a ketogenic diet
• if you have diarrhea, lung or breathing problems, or low bicarbonate levels in the blood, or you will be having surgery
• if you have a history of status epilepticus (continuous seizure activity or a series of seizures without a full return to consciousness)
• if you have a history of mental or mood problems, or suicidal thoughts or actions

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Topamax . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Anticholinergics (eg, benztropine), carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (eg, acetazolamide), haloperidol, or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, nortriptyline) because the risk of decreased sweating may be increased
• Valproic acid because a serious side effect with symptoms of confusion, lethargy, and vomiting may occur
• Metformin or pioglitazone because blood glucose control may be altered; monitor your blood sugar carefully if you use Topamax with metformin or pioglitazone
• Hydrochlorothiazide because it may increase the risk of Topamax 's side effects
• Carbamazepine or hydantoins (eg, phenytoin) because they may decrease Topamax 's effectiveness
• Amitriptyline because the risk of its side effects may be increased by Topamax
• Lithium because Topamax may have an effect on lithium blood levels
• Hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills) or risperidone because their effectiveness may be decreased by Topamax

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Topamax may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or chan ge the dose of any medicine.