Topamax bipolar disorder treatmentTopamax bipolar disorder treatment is controversial because there is a lack of evidence showing its effectiveness.
The FDA has not approved Topamax for the treatment of bipolar disorder. It is recognized and approved as an effective treatment for epilepsy and for migraine headaches. Topamax is an anti-convulsive drug. This is not unusual. Some of the most important bipolar drug treatments such as Depakote are anti-convulsants. Another well established anti-convulsant medication for bipolar disorder is Lamictal. The generic form of the Topamax drug is known as topiramate. Using Topamax "off-label" for bipolar
One huge reason is that it tends to cause weight loss rather than weight gain. This leads some doctors to prescribe it as an add-on medication in order to combat the weight gaining effects of the patient's primary or "real" bipolar medication. Others prescribe Topamax as a bipolar disorder treatment in its own right, even though the evidence for its effectiveness is weak to non-existent (more on this in a moment). It is not my intention to sound critical of the medical profession on this point. Many people with bipolar disorder are so distressed by medication related weight gain that they pretty much DEMAND Topamax once they hear of its weight loss properties. Also, it is used off-label for weight loss and the Internet message boards are full of anecdotal evidence about Topamax for weight control. This is a reckless strategy as it involves using a powerful drug for uses that are not FDA approved and risking serious side effects in the process. A much better weight loss strategy is the bipolar diet.
Why am I telling you that Topamax bipolar disorder treatment is ineffective? 1. THE EVIDENCE! See, for example,
Comparing Antiepileptics for Bipolar Disorder
and
this study highlighting Topamax is no use as monotherapy for bipolar.
Other resources on Topamax for bipolar disorder Topamax warnings and side effectsThere are important precautions to consider with Topamax. This is a medication that can interfere with contraceptive drugs so that a woman taking both Topamax and the pill may wind up with an unplanned pregnancy. This problem is compounded by the fact that Topamax can cause serious birth defects. The bottom line? DO NOT choose this med if you are on the pill OR if you are trying to conceive a child.There are other serious side effects to consider, in particular the danger of eye problems such as a form of glaucoma or even blindness. Stop taking this med if you experience double vision, blurred vision, or diminished vision. According to the Mayo clinic, other side effects include:
- Confusion - Dizziness - Drowsiness - Memory problems - Menstrual changes and menstrual pain - Nervousness - Speech or language problems - Trouble concentrating / paying attention - Unusual tiredness or weakness. Side effects such as confusion, slow or confused thinking, and problems with words and other cognitive difficulties are amongst the most notorious of the Topamax side effects. So much so in fact, that it is sometimes called "Dope-a-max".
I tried it when my bipolar disorder was first diagnosed and quit within a few days because I had so much trouble with jumbling up my words. Sentences like "I'm going to wrap the Christmas presidents" instead of "Christmas presents", or "I'm going to get some gaps and a car walk" instead of "gas" and a "car wash" just kept tumbling out. It was so bad I could not function in the work place, participate properly in postgraduate classes, or even communicate clearly at home. This does NOT happen to everybody! Topamax side effects warnings from the FDA
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