In the battle against obesity and weight gain, many people seek help in any form. The prescription medication Topamax is being researched for its ability to cause weight loss, but its primary use is to treat epilepsy. Talk to your health care provider for weight loss options and whether Topamax may be an option for your medical well-being.
Definition
Topamax is the brand name for a prescription medication called topiramate. It is an anticonvulsant that's prescribed to control seizures in people diagnosed with epilepsy or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. It's also used to prevent migraine headaches but does not relieve them once they occur, reports MedlinePlus.
Weight Loss
Weight loss is a possible side effect experienced by children and adults who take Topamax. In clinical trials, a decrease in weight was experienced in about 3.75 percent of those taking 50 mg/day and 10 percent of those taking 400 mg/day, reports Topamax.com. Topamax is also being researched for its effectiveness as a therapy for obesity. In the December 2004 issue of "Obesity Research," Arne Astrup and Soren Toubro reported that it was significantly more effective than a placebo, with continued weight loss for a year. In January 2007, the "International Journal of Obesity" published a study by H. Toplak and colleagues, concluding that Topamax effectively caused weight loss in obese subjects with Type 2 diabetes being treated with the anti-diabetic medication metformin.
Side Effects
Topamax is an effective antiepileptic that may cause serious side effects. The most common adverse reactions in clinical trials were tingling of the skin, anorexia, weight decrease, fatigue, dizziness, drowsiness, nervousness, mood problems, upper respiratory infection, confusion, and problems with memory or concentration. More serious side effects include eye problems such as a sudden decrease in vision and a blockage of fluid in the eye that leads to increased pressure. These eye problems can lead to permanent loss of vision if not treated. Topamax also interferes with the ability to sweat, which results in a potentially dangerous increase in body temperature. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts or tendencies. In clinical trials, about 21 percent of adult patients and 12 percent of pediatric patients stopped taking Topamax due to adverse reactions, according to Topamax.com.
Considerations
Topamax is an effective medication for seizures and migraines that may result in weight loss, however, as of June 2011, it is not prescribed as a weight loss medication.
References
- Topamax: Prescribing Information and Medication Guide
- MedlinePlus: Topiramate
- "Obesity Research"; Topiramate: A New Potential Pharmacological Treatment for Obesity; Arne Astrup and Soren Toubro; December 2004
- "International Journal of Obesity"; Efficacy and Safety of Topiramate in Combination With Metformin; H. Toplak et al.; January 2007
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