Topamax is approved to treat seizure disorders, like epilepsy, and to prevent migraine in adults. Some people use Topamax to treat other conditions, like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but Topamax is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for these purposes.
Full Answer
What is the therapeutic index of topiramate?
Therapeutic Class: Central Nervous System Agent. Chemical Class: Fructopyranose Sulfamate. Uses for topiramate. 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).
Can you use piracetam for ADHD and add?
There has been considerable interest in the use of Piracetam for addressing ADHD and ADD. Studies and user testimonies show that Piracetam may be used to increase focus, attention span, mental energy and motivation. This is despite the fact that Piracetam is one of the mildest member of its supplement family.
Is topiramate good for anxiety?
- seizures
- migraine
- obesity/weight loss
- PTSD
- bipolar disorder
- eating disorders, including binge eating disorder and bulimia
- alcohol addiction
- cocaine addiction
- painful nerve conditions
Is Depakote used for ADHD?
Lithium, Carbamazepine ( Tegretol ), and Valproic Acid ( Depakote) have been used when mood disorders co-exist with ADHD. One frequently sees bipolar patients with supposed comorbid ADHD or diagnosed solely with ADHD. This is becoming increasingly common in adults as well as kids thanks to the popularity of the ADHD diagnosis.
Does topiramate help with PTSD?
Topiramate might be effective in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) because of its antikindling effect and its action in both inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters. Open-label studies and few controlled trials have suggested that this anticonvulsant may have therapeutic potential in PTSD.
Can topiramate be used for ADHD?
Topamax (topiramate) Treats ADHD and lowers blood pressure. Tenex (Guanfacine) can be used to treat both blood pressure and ADHD, but it's not recommended as a first-line treatment for either problem.
Is topiramate used to treat depression?
Topiramate is a medication that works in the brain and is sometimes used in patients with bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression). It is approved for the treatment of seizures (epilepsy) in adults and children in combination with other anticonvulsants and for preventing migraine headaches in adults.
Is topiramate a mood stabilizer?
Topiramate is a novel anticonvulsant agent with a broad spectrum mechanism of action, and recent clinical reports indicate that it may have mood stabilizing properties in bipolar disorder.
What is topiramate prescribed for?
Topiramate: a medicine to treat epilepsy and migraine - NHS.
Does topiramate help anxiety?
The study found that the participants taking Topamax in addition to their prescribed depression medication significantly improved depressed mood, suicidality, insomnia, agitation, and anxiety symptoms compared to those taking a placebo.
What does topiramate do to the brain?
Topiramate is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants. It works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.
What are the main side effects of topiramate?
Side effects of topiramateFeeling sick (nausea) Stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food. ... Feeling sleepy, dizzy or tired. Do not drink alcohol, as this will make you feel more tired. ... Diarrhoea. ... Feeling depressed. ... Loss of appetite or weight loss.
What are the long term side effects of topiramate?
Long-term side effects of Topamax For example, fatigue (low energy) and feelings of burning or numbness in your hands and feet may go away as you continue taking Topamax. Your doctor may prescribe a temporary treatment to help you manage these side effects for a short period of time.
Does topiramate change your mood?
What psychiatric side effects do people who take Topiramate experience? The list includes sedation, psychomotor slowing, agitation, anxiety, concentration problems, forgetfulness, confusion, depression, and depersonalization. There are also rare cases of psychosis.
Does topiramate increase serotonin?
Recent studies have found that a significant increase in mean plasma serotonin levels was observed with respect to the basal levels in patients taking topiramate compared to those of a control group.
Does topiramate increase depression?
Symptoms of depression began or increased within 1 week of topiramate treatment or with ti- tration to 50 mg/day. Each of the patients experienced signif- icant relief from depression 1 to 2 weeks after discontinuation of topiramate.
What is the best medication for ADHD in adults?
TreatmentStimulants, such as products that include methylphenidate or amphetamine, are typically the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD , but other medications may be prescribed. ... Other medications used to treat ADHD include the nonstimulant atomoxetine and certain antidepressants such as bupropion.
What is the most common ADHD medication for adults?
Methylphenidate. Methylphenidate is the most commonly used medicine for ADHD. It belongs to a group of medicines called stimulants, which work by increasing activity in the brain, particularly in areas that play a part in controlling attention and behaviour.
What's the strongest ADHD medication?
It's called Adhansia XR and its active ingredient is methylphenidate, which has been used to treat ADHD for more than 50 years.
What is topiramate used for in children?
Answer Both Health Canada and the US Food and Drug Administration have approved the use of topiramate for migraine prevention in adults; however, only the US Food and Drug Administration has approved topiramate for migraine prophylaxis in adolescents 12 to 17 years of age.
When Did The FDA Approve This Drug For Marketing in The Us, and What Uses of The Drug Are approved?
The FDA gave final approval for the drug on December 24, 1996. As stated above, the only approved use to date is the treatment of convulsions.
Does Topiramate Have A Generic version?
The manufacturer of Topiramate still holds patent protection over the drug, so there is no generic version available yet.
How Is Topiramate Different from Other Mood Stabilizers?
There are two things that set Topiramate apart from other drugs in this class. First of all, physicians and psychiatrists sometimes prescribe it wh...
How Is Topiramate Different from Carbamazepine and Valproate?
For rapid cycling or mixed bipolar states, there are some cases where Topiramate is effective when these other two drugs are not.
Which Disorders Has Topiramate been Most Successful in Controlling So Far?
The lack of research about Topiramate makes it hard to tell which disorders will respond best to the drug: to date, there is not enough psychiatric...
Can Topiramate Treat Episodes of Depression, Mania, and Mixed States? Can It Prevent These episodes?
While Topiramate’s first use was for the treatment of mania, depression, or mixed states that were resistant to other drugs, its effectiveness for...
What Lab Tests Are Necessary Before A Patient Can Be Prescribed Topiramate?
It is important to test for any of several conditions that can interact with mood disorders. The necessary tests include blood and urine tests, bec...
What Dosage Is Appropriate For Starting A Course of Topiramate?
The initial dose for Topiramate should be either 12.5 or 25 milligrams taken either once or twice a day. This dose increases by 12.5 or 12 milligra...
Are There Any Special Problems Prescribing Topiramate Forpeople Taking Lithium, Carbamazepine (Tegretol), Or Valproate (Depakene, Depakote)?
There are no known interactions between Topiramate and lithium. However, carbamazepine can lower the blood-plasma level of Topiramate by 50 percent...
What Final Doses of Topiramate Are Typical and What Doses Are Appropriate For Different Disorders?
The final doses of Topiramate vary widely based on the targeted disorder, the patient, and whether or not the patient is taking any other drugs at...
What is Topamax used for?
Uses. Bottom line. Topamax is the brand name for the drug topiramate. Topamax is approved to treat seizure disorders, like epilepsy, and to prevent migraine in adults. Some people use Topamax to treat other conditions, like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder ...
How does Topamax work?
The exact way that Topamax works in the body isn’t fully understood. Topamax is thought to decrease abnormal excitement in the brain. Among other actions, Topamax affects the activity of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA). GABA is involved in the excitability of the nervous system.
How many milligrams of Topamax are there?
Topamax tablets come as 25 milligrams (mg), 50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg round tablets that are taken whole by mouth. The drug also comes in sprinkle capsules that can be broken open and sprinkled onto soft food. The exact way that Topamax works in the body isn’t fully understood.
How many patients were in the Topamax study?
However, like the other studies mentioned above, this study was small, including a total of 36 patients. Larger clinical trials will be needed to confirm Topamax’s use in treating depression or bipolar depression before the drug can be approved for this condition.
What is Gaba involved in?
GABA is involved in the excitability of the nervous system. Problems with the GABA system has also been thought to play a role in the development of psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression. Cryan JF, et al. (2010). GABAB receptors and depression. Current status.
Can you take Topamax if you are depressed?
If you’re thinking about using Topamax to treat depression, you should discuss whether or not the potential benefits outweigh the risks before making a decision. If you’re already taking Topamax and you’re feeling depressed or you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call your doctor right away.
Is Topamax good for depression?
Topamax isn’t approved to treat depression or bipolar disorder with depression, but it may be helpful for people who have not found relief with other mood-stabilizing drugs . For this reason, a doctor may decide, after careful evaluation, to prescribe Topamax off label for treating depression.
What is Topiramate?
Topiramate is an anticonvulsant and nerve pain medication which was first developed to treat epileptic and other types of seizures.
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The History of Topiramate
According to an article from a drug information organization called Center Watch, Topamax, a brand name of topiramate, was developed by Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical and was approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in 1997 for use in treating seizures.
Topiramate Dose & Half-Life
According to the drug label information provided by the FDA, Topamax topiramate is available in 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg tablets or as 15 mg and 25 mg “Sprinkle Capsules” that can either be taken whole or opened up to sprinkle the coated beads of medicine in the capsule over a spoonful of soft food like yogurt or applesauce.
Topiramate Side Effects
As described by the National Library of Medicine on MedLine Plus, there are many potential side effects, such as:
Topiramate Overdose
As with any drug, overdose is possible and is exacerbated by use with other drugs or alcohol. If you believe you or someone you love may be experiencing an overdose, please seek medical attention immediately. Signs and symptoms of overdose include some of the more severe side effects listed above as well as:
Topiramate in Addiction Treatment
Early research into using topiramate for addiction treatment involved studies of alcohol use. More recently, studies into using topiramate for alcohol addiction, like this one from the American Journal of Psychiatry, have shown that the drug can help people reduce heavy alcohol use.
How long does it take to absorb topiramate?
Topiramate is a sulfamate substituted, derivative of the monosaccharide D-fructose [1]. It is absorbed in 1–4 hours, its oral bioavailability is about 80% and its plasma protein binding is 15%. It pharmacokinetic profile is linear in relation to dose [2].
Does topiramate affect liver enzymes?
It does not affect liver enzymes, it is excreted unchanged in the urine, and has a high therapeutic index [3]. In renal impairment, the clearance of topiramate is decreased and elimination half-life is prolonged, usually between 19 and 23 hours [4].
What is the treatment for ADHD?
Psychopharmacological Treatments for ADHD and Depression. Various medications may be used to treat patients with ADHD and depression. Prior to prescribing, psychiatrists should consider possible interactions with stimulant and/or nonstimulant medications, and the presence of treatment-resistant depression, or TRD.
What is the best medication for TRD?
Antipsychotic medications can also be very useful for patients with particularly severe depression or TRD in augmentation therapy. Aripiprazole ( Abilify ), Brexipipzole (Rexulti), and Quetiapine (Seroquel XR) are all antipsychotics that are FDA approved as add-on therapies for TRD.
How does CBT help with cognitive distortion?
CBT targets cognitive distortions by helping patients be mindful of their negative thoughts, and by challenging them to find evidence for them. The behavioral component, in turn, addresses self-destructive, avoidant, and otherwise unproductive behaviors.
What is a DBT?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Originally conceptualized for people with borderline personality disorder, DBT has since been used to address a plethora of brain conditions and disorders, including depression. DBT is a concrete strategy and skills-based treatment.
What is interpersonal therapy?
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) Similar in some ways to ACT, IPT falls under traditional psychotherapy or talk therapy, and focuses heavily on the roles that relationships and interpersonal connections play. Patients undergoing IPT will consider the notion that good relationships can help with depression.
How do antipsychotics help with depression?
Antipsychotics can help patients with depression by helping to loosen up the sort of concrete, rigid thinking that is common in patients with psychosis, and also with depression. Sometimes, a patient’s thoughts are so fixed that it’s very difficult to get out of that depressed way of thinking.
Is mindfulness good for ADHD?
Mindfulness can be especially helpful for people with ADHD. Patients with ADHD can benefit from being mindful of their potential distractions and of where their thoughts wander, for example. Like CBT, DBT is another first-line approach for me.
Which SSRI has the lowest side effects?
Consequently, the choice of which medication to start with is made on the basis of tolerability and cost. Bupropion ( Wellbutrin) is lowest in side effects, followed by the third-generation SSRI medications, such as citalopram ( Celexa) and escitalopram ( Lexapro ). Antidepressants work slowly.
What are the moods of ADHD?
In addition, the moods that come with ADHD are appropriate to the nature of the perceived trigger. Happy events in the lives of individuals with ADHD bring a happy and excited mood. Unhappy events, especially the experience of being rejected, criticized, shamed, or teased, lead to painful emotional states. 4.
How long does it take for ADHD to go away?
Most people see no benefit for the first 10 to 14 days. After two weeks, irritability and daily crying spells usually go away. Once a person’s response to medication starts, it takes eight to 10 weeks to see the full benefit of an antidepressant. During this time, the standard medications for ADHD can be fine-tuned.
What is the difference between ADHD and MDD?
People with ADHD are passionate and have strong, emotional reactions to the events of their lives. However, it is this distinct triggering of mood shifts that distinguishes ADHD from MDD mood shifts , which come and go without any connection to life events.
How long does it take for ADHD to stabilize?
ADHD and its frustrations are always present. MDD comes in episodes that ultimately stabilize to more or less normal mood levels in about 12 months. 3. Triggered mood instability. People with ADHD are passionate and have strong, emotional reactions to the events of their lives.
What are the symptoms of ADHD and depression?
The two disorders have much in common: Decreased memory and concentration. Irritability. Sleep disturbances. Sadness. Hopelessness. Pessimism.
Is reactive depression a normal thing?
It must be emphasized, however, that “reactive depression” is a normal experience and not something that has gone wrong. It is an accurate perception of how hard and frustrating it is to have ADHD, especially if it is not being treated.
Is lisdexamfetamine FDA approved?
There is only one FDA -approved medication for this : lisdexamfetamine. However, patients with bipolar disorder not currently on a good dose of a mood stabilizer and who have comorbid BED would likely not benefit from lisdexamfetamine or any other stimulant (nor with any antidepressant, some of which also have positive studies in BED).
Is topiramate good for bipolar?
There appears to be some confusion regarding the efficacy of topiramate in bipolar disorder. Some prescribers think it is effective for mania, depression, or simply for “mood.”. The evidence does not support this: all studies found no efficacy. 1 Also, topiramate has a significant adverse effect burden, including the infrequent ...
Is topiramate a weight loss pill?
Topiramate in low doses (up to 92 mg) is a component of a weight loss combination product (with phentermine) that is on the market. Some patients with bipolar disorder who experience weight gain also have binge eating disorder (BED). There is only one FDA-approved medication for this: lisdexamfetamine. However, patients with bipolar disorder not ...
Is topiramate FDA approved?
Topiramate is FDA approved for seizures and for migraine prophylaxis. There are some off-label proposed uses for topiramate in comorbidities that are common in patients with bipolar disorder.