Topamax is the brand name for the pharmaceutical drug topiramate that is prescribed to prevent or reduce the number seizures and migraine headaches. Migraines are chronic, debilitating headaches that often involve nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sounds and visual disturbances. This painful condition is often goes without being diagnosed and treated adequately. Certain food triggers, such as caffeine, may initially seem to help the headache pain but are actually triggers that can cause a migraine. Doctors advise patients to seek out and eliminate trigger foods from their diet. Topamax used in conjunction with lifestyle changes such as eliminating coffee, chocolate, soda and other caffeine-containing foods can help prevent the number and severity of migraine headaches.
Step 1
Consult your family doctor or neurologist about taking Topamax for preventing migraine headaches. Discuss food triggers such as caffeine and how to remove them from your diet. Get a prescription for Topamax.
Step 2
Take the recommended titrated and divided dose of Topamax. This medication is sold in 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg and 200 mg dosage tablets. Capsules are also available. Your doctor will start you on the lower dose Topamax. Reduce or eliminate caffeine from your diet by replacing coffee with teas or other beverages. Drink decaffeinated coffee and avoid soda and chocolate, which also contain caffeine.
Step 3
Take an evening dose of 25 mg of Topamax and none in the morning every day for the first week. Take a daily 25 mg dose each in the morning and evening for the second week. Take 25 mg in the morning and 50 mg in the evening every day in the third week. Take 50 mg dosages each in the morning and evening per day in the fourth week.
Step 4
Record any headache pain while you are taking Topamax, describing the severity and duration of the migraine. Also document how much caffeine was ingested in this time. Discuss your results with your doctor at the end of the month. Your dosage may be changed or stopped as determined by your doctor.
Tips and Warnings
- Take Topamax with or without food, swallowing the tablet whole with a glass of water. If swallowing a tablet is difficult, a Topamax capsule may be opened and its contents sprinkled on a spoonful of food that is swallowed.
- Topamax can cause side effects, including eye pain and redness, a sudden decrease in vision, increased eye pressure, increased body temperature and decreased sweating. See your doctor if you experience any side effects while taking Topamax.
Things You'll Need
- Topamax prescription medication
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