Description
Topiramate is used alone or together with other medicines to help treat certain types of seizures (eg, partial seizures, tonic-clonic seizures, or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome). This medicine will not cure epilepsy and will only work to control seizures for as long as you continue to take it. It is also used to help prevent migraine headaches.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
- Tablet
- Capsule, Extended Release
- Solution
- Capsule
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 capsules, oral solution, or tablets, or Qudexy�� extended-release capsules to treat seizures in children younger than 2 years of age (when used alone or together with other medicines). However, children are more likely to have unwanted effects (eg, rickets, slow growth, and increased risk of kidney stones) to this medicine. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of Trokendi XR® extended-release capsules for the treatment of seizures in children younger than 6 years of age.
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of topiramate capsules, extended-release capsules, tablets, or oral solution for the prevention of migraine headaches in children younger than 12 years of age. 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 caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving topiramate.
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
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acepromazine
- Acetazolamide
- Alfentanil
- Alprazolam
- Amitriptyline
- Amobarbital
- Anileridine
- Apixaban
- Aripiprazole
- Aripiprazole Lauroxil
- Asenapine
- Baclofen
- Benperidol
- Benzhydrocodone
- Brinzolamide
- Bromazepam
- Buprenorphine
- Buspirone
- Butabarbital
- Butalbital
- Butorphanol
- Calcifediol
- Calcium Oxybate
- Cannabidiol
- Cannabis
- Carbamazepine
- Carbinoxamine
- Carisoprodol
- Carphenazine
- Cetirizine
- Chloral Hydrate
- Chlordiazepoxide
- Chlorpromazine
- Chlorzoxazone
- Citalopram
- Clobazam
- Clonazepam
- Clorazepate
- Clozapine
- Codeine
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.
- Ginkgo
- Phenobarbital
- Posaconazole
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. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication, change some of the other medicines you take, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.
- Ethanol
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 (eg, osteoporosis, osteomalacia, osteopenia) or
- Depression, history of or
- Eye or vision problems (eg, glaucoma) or
- Mood disorder, history of or
- Metabolic acidosis (too much acid in the blood), or history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
- Diarrhea or
- Lung or breathing problems or
- Patients on ketogenic diet or
- Status epilepticus (prolonged seizure)—May increase risk for metabolic acidosis.
- Kidney disease or
- Liver disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.
- Patients with metabolic acidosis who are also taking metformin—Should not be used in patients with this condition.
- Patients undergoing hemodialysis—Use with caution. The effects of Topamax®, Trokendi XR®, or Eprontia® may be lessened because of its faster removal from the body.
Proper Use
Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.
This medicine comes with a Medication Guide. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.
Topiramate may be taken with or without food.
Swallow the Trokendi XR® extended-release capsule whole. Do not open, crush, chew, or sprinkle on food.
Measure the Eprontia® oral solution with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
Avoid drinking alcohol with Eprontia®, Qudexy® XR, or Topamax®, or avoid for 6 hours before and 6 hours after taking the Trokendi XR® capsule.
Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it. The tablet may taste bitter if it is held in the mouth or chewed.
The Topamax® sprinkle capsule or Qudexy® XR extended-release capsule may be swallowed whole or opened and sprinkled on a small amount (1 teaspoon) of soft food (eg, applesauce). Swallow the food mixture right away without chewing. Do not save for later use.
Drink extra water with this medicine to help prevent kidney stones.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage form (extended-release capsules):
- For seizures (taken with other medicines):
- Adults—At first, 25 to 50 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may adjust the dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 400 mg per day.
- Children—
- Qudexy®:
- Children 2 years of age and older—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual starting dose is 25 milligrams (mg) once a day in the evening. Your doctor may adjust the dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 5 to 9 mg per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day.
- Children younger than 2 years of age—Use is not recommended.
- Trokendi XR®:
- Children 6 to 16 years of age and older—At first, 25 mg once a day in the evening. Your doctor may adjust the dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 5 to 9 mg per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day.
- Children younger than 6 years of age—Use is not recommended.
- Qudexy®:
- For seizures (taken alone):
- Qudexy®:
- Adults and children 10 years of age and older—At first, 50 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may increase the dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 400 mg per day.
- Children 2 to 10 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The starting dose is usually 25 mg once a day, in the evening. Your doctor may increase the dose as needed and tolerated. However, the dose is usually not more than 400 mg per day.
- Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- Trokendi XR®:
- Adults and children 10 years of age and older—At first, 50 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may increase the dose each week until it reaches 400 mg once a day. The dose is usually not more than 400 mg once a day.
- Children 6 to 9 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your child's doctor. The starting dose is usually 25 mg once a day in the evening. The doctor may adjust the dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 250 to 400 mg per day.
- Weighing more than 38 kilograms (kg)—250 to 400 mg once a day.
- Weighing 32 to 38 kg—250 to 350 mg once a day.
- Weighing 23 to 31 kg—200 to 350 mg once a day.
- Weighing 12 to 22 kg—200 to 300 mg once a day.
- Weighing 11 kg or less—150 to 250 mg once a day.
- Children younger than 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- Qudexy®:
- For migraine headaches:
- Adults and children 12 years of age and older—At first, 25 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may adjust the dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 100 mg per day.
- Children younger than 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For seizures (taken with other medicines):
- For oral dosage forms (capsules or tablets):
- For seizures (taken with other medicines):
- Adults and children 17 years of age and older—At first, 25 or 50 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may adjust the dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 400 mg per day.
- Children 2 to 16 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your child's doctor. The starting dose is usually 25 milligrams (mg) once a day in the evening. The doctor may adjust the dose as needed.
- Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For seizures (taken alone):
- Adults and children 10 years of age and older—At first, 50 milligrams (mg) per day, taken in 2 divided doses. Your doctor may adjust the dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 400 mg per day.
- Children 2 to 9 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your child's doctor. The starting dose is usually 25 mg once a day in the evening. The doctor may adjust the dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 250 to 400 mg per day.
- Weighing more than 38 kilograms (kg)—250 to 400 mg per day taken in 2 divided doses.
- Weighing 32 to 38 kg—250 to 350 mg per day taken in 2 divided doses.
- Weighing 23 to 31 kg—200 to 350 mg per day taken in 2 divided doses.
- Weighing 12 to 22 kg—200 to 300 mg per day taken in 2 divided doses.
- Weighing 11 kg or less—150 to 250 mg per day taken in 2 divided doses.
- Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For migraine headaches:
- Adults and children 12 years of age and older—At first, 25 milligrams (mg) once a day in the evening. Your doctor may adjust the dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 100 mg per day.
- Children younger than 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For seizures (taken with other medicines):
- For oral dosage forms (solution):
- For seizures (taken with other medicines):
- Adults and children 17 years of age and older—At first, 25 or 50 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may adjust the dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 400 mg per day.
- Children 2 to 16 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your child's doctor. The starting dose is usually 25 milligrams (mg) once a day in the evening. The doctor may adjust the dose as needed.
- Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For seizures (taken alone):
- Adults and children 10 years of age and older—At first, 50 milligrams (mg) per day, taken in 2 divided doses. Your doctor may adjust the dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 400 mg per day.
- Children 2 to 9 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your child's doctor. The starting dose is usually 25 mg once a day in the evening. The doctor may adjust the dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 250 to 400 mg per day.
- Weighing more than 38 kilograms (kg)—250 to 400 mg per day taken in 2 divided doses.
- Weighing 32 to 38 kg—250 to 350 mg per day taken in 2 divided doses.
- Weighing 23 to 31 kg—200 to 350 mg per day taken in 2 divided doses.
- Weighing 12 to 22 kg—200 to 300 mg per day taken in 2 divided doses.
- Weighing 11 kg or less—150 to 250 mg per day taken in 2 divided doses.
- Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For migraine headaches:
- Adults and children 12 years of age and older—At first, 25 milligrams (mg) once a day in the evening. Your doctor may adjust the dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 100 mg per day.
- Children younger than 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For seizures (taken with other medicines):
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
If your next regular dose of Topamax® capsule or tablet or Eprontia® oral solution is within 6 hours away, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose.
If you miss more than 1 dose of Topamax® capsule or tablet orEprontia® oral solution, contact your doctor for instructions about how to restart it.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Throw away any unused Eprontia® oral solution 60 days after first opening.
Precautions
It is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress at regular visits to see if the medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.
Birth control pills containing estrogen may not work properly if you take them with topiramate. To keep from getting pregnant, use an additional form of birth control (eg, condoms, spermicide) together with your birth control pill. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
This medicine may cause vision changes, clumsiness or unsteadiness, dizziness, drowsiness, or trouble with thinking or speaking. Make sure you know how you or your child react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, climb in high places, swim, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert, well-coordinated, or able to think or see well.
Check with your doctor before using this medicine with alcohol or other medicines that affect the central nervous system. The use of alcohol or other medicines that affect the CNS with topiramate may worsen the side effects of this medicine, such as dizziness, poor concentration, drowsiness, unusual dreams, and trouble with sleeping. Some examples of medicines that affect the CNS are antihistamines or medicine for allergies or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicines, medicine for depression, medicine for anxiety, prescription pain medicine or narcotics, medicine for attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, medicine for seizures or barbiturates, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics.
Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have changes in vision or pain around the eyes during and after treatment with this medicine. Your doctor may want your eyes to be checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).
This medicine may make you sweat less which will cause your body temperature to increase. Use extra care not to become overheated during exercise or hot weather with this medicine. Overheating may result in heat stroke and hot baths or saunas may make you dizzy or feel faint.
Topiramate may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed. Make sure the doctor knows if you have trouble sleeping, get upset easily, have a big increase in energy, or start to act reckless. Also tell the doctor if you have sudden or strong feelings, such as feeling nervous, angry, restless, violent, or scared. If you, your child, or your caregiver notice any of these side effects, tell your doctor right away.
This medicine may cause nausea, muscle tremors, breathing problems, eating problems, a fast heartbeat, restlessness, and stomach pain. Tell your doctor right away if you or your child have any of these symptoms. You might have a serious condition called metabolic acidosis (too much acid in the blood).
This medicine may decrease the density of bones, which can make your bones weak. Talk with your doctor if you have any concerns about this.
This medicine may cause slow growth. For children, the doctor will need to keep track of height and weight to make sure that the child is growing properly.
Do not suddenly stop using this medicine without checking first with your doctor. Stopping the medicine suddenly may cause your seizures to return or to occur more often. Your doctor may want you or your child to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely.
Serious skin reactions (eg, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis) can occur with Topamax®, Trokendi XR®, and Eprontia®. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, chills, cough, diarrhea, itching, joint or muscle pain, red irritated eyes, red skin lesions, often with a purple center, sore throat, sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips, or unusual tiredness or weakness with this medicine.
Check with your doctor right away if you or your child are having unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, feelings of sluggishness, mental depression or anxiety, nightmares or unusually vivid dreams, or vomiting. These may be symptoms of a serious condition called hyperammonemic encephalopathy.
Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have sudden back pain, stomach pain, pain while urinating, or bloody or dark urine. These may be symptoms of kidney stones.
Tell your doctor if your or your child's skin feels like it is burning, crawling, itching, or if you have numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feeling after using topiramate.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
- Blurred vision
- burning, prickling, or tingling sensations
- clumsiness or unsteadiness
- confusion
- continuous, uncontrolled back-and-forth or rolling eye movements
- dizziness
- double vision
- drowsiness
- eye redness or pain
- generalized slowing of mental and physical activity
- increased eye pressure
- memory problems
- menstrual changes or pain
- nervousness
- speech or language problems
- trouble in concentrating or paying attention
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common
- Aggression
- agitation
- chest pain
- chills
- discouragement
- feeling sad or empty
- fever
- irritability
- lack of feeling or emotion
- lessening of sensations or perception
- loss of appetite
- loss of interest or pleasure
- red, irritated, or bleeding gums
- sore throat
- stomach pain
- trouble sleeping
- weight loss
Rare
- Blood in the urine
- difficult or painful urination
- frequent urination
- hearing loss
- itching, skin rash
- loss of bladder control
- lower back or side pain
- nosebleeds
- pale skin
- ringing or buzzing in the ears
- swelling
- trouble breathing
Incidence not known
- Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- bloating
- bone fractures, especially of the thigh bone
- bone pain, tenderness, or aching
- clay-colored stools
- constipation
- cough
- decrease in height
- diarrhea
- increased rate of breathing
- joint or muscle pain
- muscle weakness
- pain in the back, ribs, arms, or legs
- pain or tenderness in the upper stomach
- red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
- yellow eyes or skin
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
- Decreased awareness or responsiveness
- dizziness, fainting, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- severe sleepiness
- unusual drowsiness, dullness, or feeling of sluggishness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Breast pain in women
- tremors
Less common
- Constipation
- feeling of warmth
- heartburn
- increased sweating
- redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
Rare
- Decrease in sexual performance or desire
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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