Topamax is the brand name for topiramate, a drug commonly prescribed to manage seizure disorders. Some doctors have prescribed the drug "off label" to help patients lose weight, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. But the risk of adverse side effects associated with topiramate is rather high, excluding it from being officially approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a weight loss drug.
Diet Considerations
If you decide to take Topamax for weight loss reasons or are already on the drug to manage seizures, you cannot safely eat a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet, warns PubMed Health. Ketogenic diets used to control seizures and diets such as Atkins aimed to help people lose weight may cause unacceptable weight loss and other serious side effects in patients taking the drug. Also, you are more likely to suffer from kidney stones when taking topiramate so you should drink at least six to eight glasses of water each day.
Additional Precautions
Topamax may not be the ideal weight loss drug for people undergoing rigorous exercise routines. The drug makes it harder for your body to cool down and typically prevents you from sweating, so you must avoid excessive exertion, heat and drinking alcohol. You should avoid taking topiramate if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or nursing. Also, some people cannot safely drive while taking Topamax.
Weight Loss Potential
About 75 percent of patients who take Topamax for any reason will experience weight loss whether or not they want to lose weight, according to the American Diabetes Association. Most people studied in topiramate drug trials lost anywhere from about 5 to 17 percent of their body weight. But some people suffered from symptoms mimicking anorexia while taking the drug and others suffered from distorted tastes of food, which can cause significant health problems.
Side Effect Potential
After taking Topamax, warns PubMed Health, you may suffer from side effects such as depression; painful urination; hair loss; dandruff; dry eyes; back, muscle or bone pain; missed menstrual periods; growth of hair in unusual places; excessive tiredness; vomiting; and nausea. Potentially serious side effects that require immediate emergency medical attention include a slowed heartbeat, inability to respond to things around you, eye pain, fever, a constant need to urinate and chills. Topamax may cause osteoporosis, or brittle bones, in some adults and can slow growth in children.
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