Topagen 50mg Tablets

Topiramate is an anticonvulsant (anti-epileptic) medicine. It is used to:

• treat some types of epileptic seizures (fits)
• help prevent migraine headaches

It does not relieve a migraine once it has started. Your doctor usually starts with a low dose and increases it slowly.

Take topiramate as your doctor or pharmacist tells you, usually once or twice a day at about the same times.

• You can take it with or without food.
• Swallow the tablets whole; they taste bitter if broken.
• Drink plenty of fluids every day to help prevent kidney stones.
• Do not stop suddenly, even if you feel well. Stopping quickly can cause severe seizures; your doctor will reduce the dose slowly.
• If you miss a dose, take it when you remember unless the next dose is nearly due. Never take a double dose.

Common side effects include:

• feeling sick, diarrhoea, loss of appetite or weight loss
• dizziness, tiredness, shaking or slowed thinking
• tingling or numbness in the hands or feet, taste changes
• low mood, nervousness, changes to periods

Get medical help straight away if you have:

• eye pain, redness, blurred or double vision, or loss of vision
• a rash with blisters or peeling, or swelling of the face or throat, or trouble breathing
• fast breathing, confusion, extreme tiredness, irregular heartbeat or chest pain
• severe pain in the back or side (possible kidney stones)
• fever and not sweating in hot weather
• thoughts of harming yourself, new depression, panic attacks or agitation

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you:

• have had an allergic reaction to topiramate or another medicine
• have kidney or liver problems, or have had kidney stones
• have glaucoma or other eye problems
• have had metabolic acidosis (too much acid in the blood)
• follow a ketogenic or other high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet
• have had depression or thoughts of self-harm
• take hormonal contraception, other epilepsy medicines, aspirin or anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen

Keep in the original, tightly closed container at room temperature, away from heat and moisture (not in the bathroom), and out of the reach of children.

Pregnancy: topiramate can cause serious problems in a developing baby. If you could become pregnant, use effective contraception during treatment and for at least a month after stopping. It can make hormonal contraception less effective, so ask which method suits you. If you plan or become pregnant, speak to your doctor straight away but do not stop taking it without advice.

Alcohol: best avoided.

Driving: do not drive or use machines if you feel dizzy, drowsy or confused.

Heat: it can reduce sweating; drink fluids and avoid overheating.