Warnings


What may interact with Topamax?

This medicine may interact with the following medications:

-acetazolamide
-alcohol
-antihistamines for allergy, cough, and cold
-aspirin and aspirin-like medicines
-atropine
-birth control pills
-certain medicines for anxiety or sleep
-certain medicines for bladder problems like oxybutynin, tolterodine
-certain medicines for depression like amitriptyline, fluoxetine, sertraline
-certain medicines for seizures like carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, valproic acid, zonisamide
-certain medicines for stomach problems like dicyclomine, hyoscyamine
-certain medicines for travel sickness like scopolamine
-certain medicines for Parkinson''s disease like benztropine, trihexyphenidyl
-certain medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin, enoxaparin, dalteparin, apixaban, dabigatran, and rivaroxaban
-digoxin
-general anesthetics like halothane, isoflurane, methoxyflurane, propofol
-hydrochlorothiazide
-ipratropium
-lithium
-medicines that relax muscles for surgery
-metformin
-narcotic medicines for pain
-NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
-phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
-pioglitazone

What should I tell my health care provider before I take Topamax?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

-bleeding disorder
-kidney disease
-lung disease
-suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt
-an unusual or allergic reaction to topiramate, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using Topamax?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Tell your health care professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

Do not stop taking except on your health care professional''s advice. You may develop a severe reaction. Your health care professional will tell you how much medicine to take.

Wear a medical ID bracelet or chain. Carry a card that describes your disease and details of your medicine and dosage times.

This medicine can reduce the response of your body to heat or cold. Dress warm in cold weather and stay hydrated in hot weather. If possible, avoid extreme temperatures like saunas, hot tubs, very hot or cold showers, or activities that can cause dehydration such as vigorous exercise.

Check with your health care professional if you have severe diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, or if you sweat a lot. The loss of too much body fluid may make it dangerous for you to take this medicine.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand up or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Tell your health care professional right away if you have any change in your eyesight.

Patients and their families should watch out for new or worsening depression or thoughts of suicide. Also watch out for sudden changes in feelings such as feeling anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens, especially at the beginning of treatment or after a change in dose, call your healthcare professional.

This medicine may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medicine. Contact your health care provider right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. Or, you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.

Birth control may not work properly while you are taking this medicine. Talk to your health care professional about using an extra method of birth control.

Women should inform their health care professional if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. There is a potential for serious side effects and harm to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional for more information.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
Store between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from moisture. Keep the container tightly closed. Get rid of any unused medicine after the expiration date.
To get rid of medicines that are no longer needed or have expired:

-Take the medicine to a medicine take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
-If you cannot return the medicine, check the label or package insert to see if the medicine should be thrown out in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your health care provider. If it is safe to put it in the trash, empty the medicine out of the container. Mix the medicine with cat litter, dirt, coffee grounds, or other unwanted substance. Seal the mixture in a bag or container. Put it in the trash.