Topamax is an anticonvulsant drug used to treat different types of seizures and migraine headaches but have you ever heard of it being used as a weight loss drug? Well, this might not make sense to you right now but it will become crystal clear at the end!
So, is Topamax weight loss real or not?
Yes! The weight loss caused due to Topamax is real and it is a side effect of the drug. It happens because Topamax reduces your appetite, regulates hunger hormones, and also boosts up your metabolism which leads to the burning of calories leading to weight loss but is it healthy? Can such a weight loss risk your health? Let’s explore.
In this write-up, you’ll get to know in-depth detail about the drug Topamax and its functioning as a weight loss drug. So, to learn all about Topamax weight loss, read on!
It helps in losing weight by regulating the amount of hunger-associated hormone called leptin. The drug reduces the amount of leptin thereby making you feel full for longer durations.
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Topamax Uses
Topamax is an anticonvulsant FDA-approved drug that is used to treat multiple ailments. Doctors recommend the drug to treat a variety of seizures such as partial on-set seizures or generalized tonic-clonic seizures.
Moreover, you can also use Topamax to treat migraine headaches; however, remember that it won’t help against an ongoing headache, it only helps in reducing the number of headaches and attacks. For migraine, you must be older than 12 years to use the drug.
Topamax is also useful in treating LGS (Lennox-Gastaut syndrome) which is a type of epilepsy involving different kinds of seizures such as tonic and atonic. To treat seizures, the medicine can be used in adults and children above 2 years only.
Side Effects
Every drug has some potential side effects ranging from normal to severe. For Topamax, the side effects can affect the vision and body metabolism such as,
- Tiredness
- Drowsiness
- Blurred vision
- Eye redness
- Eye pain
- Loss of concentration
- Confusion
- Fever
- Difficulty in urination
If you face a sudden decrease in vision or increase in sweating, then immediately consult your healthcare professional because it might lead to vision problems and dehydration if not taken care of.
Topamax for Weight Loss
You might have heard people using Topamax for seizures and headaches but did you know it is also used for weight loss? Well, the famous anticonvulsant drug isn’t FDA approved for weight loss but still is used widely for the purpose.
It helps in losing weight by regulating the amount of hunger-associated hormone called leptin. The drug reduces the amount of leptin thereby making you feel full for longer durations. Moreover, it also enhances your body’s metabolism thereby leading to burning more calories and promoting weight loss.
Research suggests that 6-17% of people who consume Topamax are likely to experience weight loss which isn’t always safe! However, some people consider this trait of the drug a plus point but it can be extremely dangerous sometimes.
Some patients taper off Topamax after some time because of the side effects such as paresthesia, psychomotor retardation and agitation, and changes in taste. Moreover, some users also encounter memory-related problems.
Topamax Dosage for Weight Loss
The least dosage of Topamax is 25 mg and the highest can be 200 mg per day. However, the dosage is generally recommended by the doctors and must be followed strictly to avoid the effects of an overdose. You have to start from a low dose and then increase the dosage with an interval of two weeks as per your doctor’s advice.
Being unapproved by FDA, there isn’t any specific Topamax weight loss dose to be recommended; however, the normal dosages are:
- Tablets are available in the dose of 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg.
- Sprinkle capsules are available in the dose of 15 mg and 25 mg only.
Best Time to Take Topamax for Weight Loss
To lose weight, you can take the drug at any time of the day; however, if you’re taking a single dose, then it’s better to use it early in the morning and if you’re taking two doses per day, then you may take it in the morning and night.
When you’re using Topamax only for weight loss, you must be careful about the following things because side effects can be a big hindrance in your weight-loss journey!
- The drug isn’t FDA-approved for weight loss purposes.
- You should start with the least dosage to avoid any serious side effects and if you’re having a high dose of Topamax daily, then it must be tapered off and not directly discontinued because of the withdrawal symptoms.
- Avoid Topamax during pregnancy to decrease the risks of congenital problems in the fetus.
- It can also lead to neurocognitive side effects such as headaches, memory loss, inability to concentrate, and difficulty in performing daily tasks.
- When you taper off Topamax, then make sure to control your cravings because as soon as you leave the drug, the hunger comes back and can make you end exactly where you had first started.
Some people claim that Topamax stopped working for weight loss which is possible because every drug acts differently and the effects vary from person to person based on age, weight, and health history. Some people have experienced visible changes in their weight within one month of usage while for others it took about four months to produce the same results.
Topamax and Other Drugs
Sometimes Topamax is prescribed in combination with other anticonvulsant drugs that either boost up your weight loss or lead to weight gain.
People mostly inquire about:
Topamax and Phentermine for Weight Loss
The combination of Phentermine and Topamax works well for weight loss. This combination is sold as an FDA-approved weight loss drug called Qsymia. Doctors recommend it to use in obese people with a BMI of more than 27 with a weight-associated problem. Experts suggest the daily dosage to be 7.5 mg of phentermine and 46 mg of topiramate for initially effective weight loss.
Lamictal and Topamax for Weight Loss
Lamictal is an anticonvulsant drug used in treating bipolar disorder and seizures just like Topamax. Patients taking Lamictal have experienced both weight loss and gain. However, to use them in combination, one must seek professional advice.
Topamax and Vyvanse for Weight Loss
Vyvanse is the first drug to get approved by the FDA to treat binge-eating disorder that alters the brain chemicals and regulates levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. Topiramate, also known as Topamax reduces appetite and contributes to weight loss. Hence, both drugs work to lose weight when used separately. No interaction has been studied between the two.
Wellbutrin and Topamax for Weight Loss
The combination of Wellbutrin and Topamax can boost your weight loss plan and can even end you up underweight. Weight loss isn’t the primary work of the drug, it’s just a side effect that many people encounter.
Gabapentin and Topamax for Weight Loss
Doctors recommend gabapentin against seizures and unlike Topamax, it contributes to weight gain. Both the drugs are used to prevent seizures but for weight loss, they work oppositely, one enhances the appetite while the other reduces it.
Some people ask, Why am I not losing weight on Topamax? Well, the efficacy of drugs varies from individual to individual. You might not lose weight with Topamax because you’re not using the adequate dosage, your diet isn’t healthy, you’re having a sedentary lifestyle, or you don’t exercise regularly.
FAQs
What is the average weight loss on Topamax?
In a study, five people were observed after receiving 195 mg per day of topiramate and the Topamax average weight loss was 22 lbs. However, this isn’t a concrete number for every user, the results might vary according to your age, weight, and medical history.
Can Topamax cause rapid weight loss?
Topamax suppresses your appetite, regulates the hunger hormones, and enhances your body’s metabolism which leads to more burning and thereby more weight loss. The pace of weight loss depends upon your age, medical history, and weight. The weight loss due to the drug eventually increases over time.
How long does it take Topamax to work for weight loss?
Topamax is an anticonvulsant drug whose prominent side effect is weight loss. Some users lose weight within the first thirty days of usage while for some users it might take up to several months; however, the results usually become effective over time.
What is the best time of day to take Topamax for weight loss?
Doctors usually prefer taking the medicines in the morning because some drugs can cause sleeplessness. Experts suggest taking Topamax in the morning for the same reason; however, if you’re taking multiple doses, then take one in the morning and the other at night.
Final Verdict
You must’ve understood how the anticonvulsant drug, “Topamax” affects your body weight. It reduces and suppresses your appetite, regulates the hunger hormone, and promotes increased thermogenesis which eventually causes weight loss.
All in all, Topamax’s weight loss is actually the side effect of the drug whereas the primary function of the drug is to prevent seizures and migraine headaches. The dosages range from 25 mg to 200 mg. To avoid side effects, the dose should be increased gradually and if you want to leave the drug, then don’t leave it all of a sudden, taper off to avoid side effects.
