Is Topamax a common preventive? Side effects manageable?

Question: Is Topamax a common preventive? Side effects manageable?

Answer:

Full Question:

I have recently been diagnoses with migraine headaches after a job promotion and move to another state. I have been having the migraines daily for almost 3 months now. I have tried Imitrex and Relpax neither of which have helped. I have also been on Inderal and Corgard for preventatives, which may have helped with intensity but not with frequency of attacks. I recently saw a headache specialist and he has prescribed Topamax. Reading the insert I'm worried about the side-effects, especially the forgetfulness, significant weight loss, and I have spoken with a another migraine patient who was put on Topamax and had 2 seizures once she reached the 100 mg daily dose so they had to taper her back off. Is Topamax a common recommendation for migraines and are the side effects manageable enough to carry on a very stressful and thought provoking job? G. Perry.

Answer:

Dear G.;

Topamax is a fairly common recommendation for Migraine prevention these days, possibly in part because it was fairly recently approved by the FDA for Migraine prevention. That makes it fresh in doctor's minds. For some Migraineurs, it's a very effective preventive with few or no side effects. For others, the side effects are troublesome. One key to avoiding the side effects seems to be to start at a low dosage, taper up slowly, and take it in a split dosage. The only way you're going to know if it produces side effects for you is to try it. That said, there are a multitude of other medications that can be used as preventives, including other medications in the same class as Topamax. If you're uncomfortable with Topamax, you might want to discuss trying something else first with your doctor.

Good luck,
Teri Robert and John Claude Krusz

____________
To visit our directory of recommended specialists and clinics, click HERE.

To visit our forums for an exchange of information and support, click HERE.