Topamax is the brand name for topiramate, a prescription anticonvulsant medication used in the treatment of epilepsy. In addition to a variety of other side effects, Topamax can cause weight loss, with many patients losing 4 to 16 percent of their body weight over the course of one year of treatment, according to "Focus on Nursing Pharmacology." Tomapax is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for weight loss but can be prescribed for weight loss as an off-label use. Consult your physician prior to taking Topamax or any other medication for weight loss.
Step 1
Consult your physician about your concerns and your desire to use Topamax to aid in your weight-loss efforts. Your doctor will review your medical history and determine if Topamax is a suitable medication to assist you in losing weight. Ask your doctor for other weight-loss options and resources if he does not feel that Topamax is a good fit for you.
Step 2
Take your Topamax exactly as prescribed. Avoid the urge to take a double dose; in the case of medications, more is not necessarily better. You can take Topamax with or without food, but it should be taken at the same time daily to ensure steady levels of the medication in your bloodstream.
Step 3
Drink in ounces at least half of your body weight in pounds each day. For example, if you weigh 200 lbs., drink at least 100 oz. of water while taking Topamax. Topamax increases your susceptibility to forming kidney stones. Drinking extra water can reduce your chances of developing a kidney stone.
Step 4
Avoid alcohol while taking Topamax. It can exacerbate the side effects of the medication, which include dizziness, fatigue, memory problems and tingling sensations.
Step 5
Adhere to a reduced-calorie diet. Topamax is an enhancement to, not a replacement of, your own weight-loss efforts. Meet with a dietitian if you are struggling to follow a reduced-calorie diet.
Step 6
Perform light to moderate exercise at least 20 minutes per day, five days per week, such as walking, swimming or biking. Avoid intense exercise, such as running, as this can intensify the side effects of Topamax.
References
- "Focus on Nursing Pharmacology"; Amy Morrison Karch; 2009
- "Foundations of Nursing"; Lois White, Gena Duncan and Wendy Baumle; 2010
- "Handbook of Obesity Treatment"; Thomas A. Wadden PhD and Albert J. Stunkard MD; 2004
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