Topiramate is used for:

• Treating certain kinds of seizures in patients 2 years of age or older. It is also prescribed to prevent migraine headache in adults.
• Topiramate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. It works by controlling nerve impulses in the brain.

Do NOT use Topiramate if:

• • you are allergic to any ingredient in Topiramate
  • you are taking other carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (eg, acetazolamide)
• Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Topiramate :

• • Some medical conditions may interact with Topiramate . Tell your health care provider if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
    • if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
    • if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
    • if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
    • if you have liver or kidney problems, kidney stones, or regularly consume alcohol
    • if you have diarrhea, a respiratory tract disease, or you are scheduled for surgery
    • if you have status epilepticus (continuous seizure activity or a series of seizures without a full return to consciousness)
    • if you are on a diet that increases the amount of ketones in your blood and results in fruity-smelling breath
  • Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Topiramate . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
    • Carbamazepine or hydantoins (eg, phenytoin) because the effectiveness of Topiramate may be decreased
    • Amitriptyline, carbamazepine, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), or metformin because the actions and side effects of these medicines may be increased
    • Risperidone because its effectiveness may be decreased by Topiramate
  • This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Topiramate may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

  How to use Topiramate :

  • Use Topiramate as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
    • Topiramate may be taken with or without food.
    • Drink plenty of fluids while taking Topiramate to prevent kidney stones from forming.
    • Swallow Topiramate whole. Do not crush, break, or chew before swallowing.
    • Suddenly stopping Topiramate may cause seizures to occur more often. Stopping therapy should be gradual.
    • If you miss a dose of Topiramate , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
  • Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Topiramate .

  Important safety information:

  • Topiramate may cause dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, difficulty concentrating, or blurred vision. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Topiramate . Using Topiramate alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
  • Avoid drinking alcohol or taking other medications that cause drowsiness (eg, sedatives, tranquilizers) while taking Topiramate . Topiramate will add to the effects of alcohol and other depressants. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines are depressants.
  • Topiramate may reduce sweating, which could raise body temperature, especially in children. The risk of this serious side effect is greater in hot weather and/or during vigorous exercise. Drink plenty of fluids and dress lightly while in hot climates or when exercising. Check carefully for signs of decreased sweating. If this occurs, promptly seek cooler or air-conditioned shelter and/or stop exercising. Seek immediate medical attention if your body temperature is above normal, or if you have mental or mood changes, headache, or dizziness.
  • Additional monitoring of your dose or condition may be needed if you are taking other medicines that reduce sweating. These medicines include anticholinergics (eg, benztropine), amitriptyline, haloperidol, or carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (eg, acetazolamide).
  • Topiramate may result in a change in the acidity (pH) of your blood. If you experience loss of appetite, changes in breathing, tiredness, or change in heart rhythm, contact your health care provider.
  • Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Topiramate .
  • Topiramate may decrease the effectiveness of your birth control pill. To prevent pregnancy, be sure to use an additional form of birth control while using Topiramate .
  • Diabetic patients - Topiramate may alter blood sugar levels in patients taking metformin. Check your blood sugars more frequently and contact your doctor for dose changes.
  • LAB TESTS, such as serum bicarbonate, may be performed to monitor your progress. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
  • Topiramate is not recommended for use in CHILDREN under the age of 2 years; safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed.
  • . PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Topiramate during pregnancy. Topiramate is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding, check with your doctor to discuss the risks to your baby.

  Possible side effects of Topiramate :

  • All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
    • Abnormal skin sensations (numbness or tingling, decreased sensitivity)
    • abnormal walking
    • agitation or aggression
    • appetite loss
    • back pain
    • breast pain
    • change in speech
    • clumsiness
    • coordination decreased
    • confusion
    • constipation
    • decreased hearing
    • decreased sweating
    • depression
    • diarrhea
    • difficulty with concentration or attention
    • dizziness
    • drowsiness
    • dry mouth
    • fatigue
    • flu-like symptoms
    • hot flushes
    • injury
    • indigestion
    • infection
    • itching
    • leg pain;menstrual disorder;mood swings
    • muscle pain or contractions
    • nausea
    • nervousness or anxiety
    • runny nose
    • saliva increased
    • sex drive decreased
    • sinus swelling
    • skin disorder
    • stomach pain or ache
    • strange taste
    • sore throat
    • thinking problems
    • thirst
    • tremor
    • unstable emotions
    • vomiting
    • weakness.
  • Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
    • Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue)
    • blood in the urine
    • blurred vision or sudden worsening of vision
    • chest pain
    • difficulty concentrating
    • fast, deep breathing
    • feeling of moving slowly
    • increased body temperature
    • irregular heartbeat
    • loss of consciousness
    • memory problems
    • painful/red eyes;prostate problems;severe stomach pain
    • significant weight loss
    • speech problems
    • stupor
    • unexplained fever
    • unusual eye movements
    • unusual tiredness
    • urinary incontinence
    • urinary tract infection.

  What is the shelf life of the pills?

  • The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.

  Other Useful Information:

  Calcium: A mineral found mainly in the hard part of bones, where it is stored. Calcium is added to bones by cells called osteoblasts and is removed from bones by cells called osteoclasts. Calcium is essential for healthy bones. It is also important for muscle contraction, heart action, nervous system maintenance, and normal blood clotting. Food sources of calcium include dairy foods, some leafy green vegetables such as broccoli and collards, canned salmon, clams, oysters, calcium-fortified foods, and tofu. According to the National Academy of Sciences, adequate intake of calcium is 1,200 milligrams a day (four glasses of milk) for men and women 51 and older, 1,000 milligrams a day for adults 19 through 50, and 1,300 milligrams a day for children 9 through 18. The upper limit for calcium intake is 2.5 grams daily.

  Cavities: Holes in the two outer layers of a tooth called the enamel and the dentin. The enamel is the outermost white hard surface and the dentin is the yellow layer just beneath enamel. Both layers serve to protect the inner living tooth tissue called the pulp, where blood vessels and nerves reside. Small cavities may not cause pain, and may be unnoticed by the patient. Larger cavities can collect food, and the inner pulp of the affected tooth can become irritated by bacterial toxins, foods that are cold, hot, sour, or sweet - causing toothache.

  Naturopathy: A system of therapy based on preventative care, and on the use of heat, water, light, air, and massage as primary therapies for disease. Some naturopaths use no medications, either pharmaceutical or herbal. Some recommend herbal remedies only. A few who are licensed to prescribe may recommend pharmaceuticals in those cases where they feel their use is warranted.

  Naturopathy is an American healthcare profession. It was founded in the US as a formal healthcare system at the turn of the 20th century by medical practitioners from various natural therapeutic disciplines. By the early 1900s, more than 20 naturopathic medical schools existed, and naturopathic physicians were licensed in most States. Today there are more than 1,000 licensed naturopathic doctors in the US.

  As practiced today, naturopathic medicine integrates traditional natural therapeutics -- including botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, homeopathy, acupuncture, traditional oriental medicine, hydrotherapy, and naturopathic manipulative therapy -- with modern scientific medical diagnostic science and standards of care. The medical research base of naturopathic practice consists of empirical documentation of treatments using case history observations, medical records, and summaries of practitioners' clinical experiences.

  At present, the two accredited naturopathic medical schools in the US have active research departments. Naturopathic researchers have investigated the pharmacology and physiological effects of nutritional and natural therapeutic agents, and naturopathic physicians have been active in the investigation of new homeopathic remedies and in the natural treatment of women's health problems. The most recently completed naturopathic study in women's health tested the clinical and endocrine effects of a botanical formula as an alternative to estrogen replacement therapy.

  Blood: The familiar red fluid in the body that contains white and red blood cells, platelets, proteins, and other elements. The blood is transported throughout the body by the circulatory system. Blood functions in two directions: arterial and venous. Arterial blood is the means by which oxygen and nutrients are transported to tissues while venous blood is the means by which carbon dioxide and metabolic by-products are transported to the lungs and kidneys, respectively, for removal from the body.

  Blood pressure: The blood pressure is the pressure of the blood within the arteries. It is produced primarily by the contraction of the heart muscle. It's measurement is recorded by two numbers. The first (systolic pressure) is measured after the heart contracts and is highest. The second (diastolic pressure) is measured before the heart contracts and lowest. A blood pressure cuff is used to measure the pressure. Elevation of blood pressure is called "hypertension".

  Brain: That part of the central nervous system that is located within the cranium (skull). The brain functions as the primary receiver, organizer and distributor of information for the body. It has two (right and left) halves called "hemispheres."

  Disease: Illness or sickness often characterized by typical patient problems (symptoms) and physical findings (signs). Disruption sequence: The events that occur when a fetus that is developing normally is subjected to a destructive agent such as the rubella (German measles) virus.

  Doctor: In a medical context, any medical professional with an MD, a PhD, or any other doctoral degree. The term doctor is quite nonspecific. A doctor may, for example, be a physician, psychologist, biomedical scientist, dentist, or veterinarian. In a nonmedical context, a professor of history might be addressed as doctor, an eminent theologian might be named a doctor of a church, and a person awarded an honorary doctorate by a college or university might also be called a doctor.

  The word "doctor" comes from the Latin "docere" meaning to teach. A doctor was a teacher, especially a learned or authoritative one.