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Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of topiramate for the treatment of seizures in children below 10 years of age (when used alone) or below 2 years of age (when used together with other medicines). Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of topiramate for the prevention of migraine headaches in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Although appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of topiramate have not been performed in the geriatric population, geriatric-specific problems are not expected to limit the usefulness of topiramate in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving topiramate.
Pregnancy
| Pregnancy Category | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| All Trimesters | C | Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women. |
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Amitriptyline
- Carbamazepine
- Desogestrel
- Ethinyl Estradiol
- Ethynodiol
- Etonogestrel
- Fosphenytoin
- Ginkgo
- Hydrochlorothiazide
- Levonorgestrel
- Mestranol
- Metformin
- Norelgestromin
- Norethindrone
- Norgestimate
- Norgestrel
- Phenobarbital
- Phenytoin
- Pioglitazone
- Posaconazole
- Risperidone
- Valproic Acid
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Bone problems (e.g., osteoporosis) or
- Depression, history of or
- Eye or vision problems (e.g., glaucoma) or
- Metabolic acidosis (too much acid in the blood), history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
- Congenital metabolism disorders (born with a disease that affects metabolism)—Use with caution. May increase risk for more serious side effects.
- Diarrhea or
- Ketogenic diet (high-fat, low-protein, low-carbohydrate diet) or
- Kidney problems or
- Lung disease or other breathing problems or
- Status epilepticus (e.g., a state of epilepsy where you have many seizures in a row and do not gain consciousness) or
- Surgery—These problems may make a condition called metabolic acidosis occur or make it worse.
- Kidney disease or
- Liver disease—Use with caution. Higher blood levels of topiramate may result and increase the chance of side effects.
