Food and drug administration (FDA) approved this drug to treat seizure problems such as epilepsy and to prevent migraine headaches in adults. It is also a brand name for the drug topiramate.
Before using this drug to treat seizure problems, people also used this medication to treat other mental health conditions such as
- Anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
Food and drug administration didn’t approve this drug to treat the above conditions but the people are still using it.
Can we prevent depression by taking Topamax?
There are no peer-reviewed researches that indicate conclusively that Topamax is harmless and efficient for treating depression or bipolar disorder with depression, even though some researches have given positive feedback for taking Topamax for the treatment of depression or bipolar disorder with depression.
In minor research conducted in the year 2002, it has been observed that forty-four percent of women who are treated with Topamax showed advancement after eighteen weeks out of sixteen women with treatment-defensive depression.
A current double-blind, placebo-regulated clinical trial containing forty-two patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who did not react to a minimum of eight weeks of treatment with sertraline, fluoxetine or citalopram which are discriminating selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
In another research that was a single-blind and was the individuals who were selected at random suffering from bipolar disorder in the depressive stage displayed a substantial development of symptoms in fifty-six percent of patients who were given topiramate.
This was contrasted to fifty-nine percent if patients who were given another well-known anti-depressant called bupropion. Whereas similar to the other researches that were discussed above, this research was minor, along with an overall of thirty-six patients.
To establish Topamax’s use in treating depression or bipolar disorder with depression, intense clinical trials have to be carried out, prior to the acceptance of this medication for treating depression or bipolar disorder with depression.
However, certain doctors might opt to suggest Topamax to the patients off-label. If other medications are not successful in regulation your symptoms, your physician might recommend taking Topamax, to treat your depression or depression with bipolar disorder.
As an adjunctive treatment, your doctor might also recommend Topamax along with another antidepressant. The reason for this because one of the consequences of Topamax is decreasing in the weight of the person who is using the drug. The doctors usually recommend another antidepressant along with Topamax because as adjunctive treatment, to assist in counterbalancing any increase in weight gain that might have been resulted in using such antidepressants.
Can depression be an outcome of using Topamax?
In people utilizing Topamax for other medical conditions such as experiencing seizures or migraines or suffering from bipolar disorder, there have been some incidences where the use of Topamax resulted in depression or the depression got worse.
Experiencing suicidal thought means, thinking about hurting yourself or killing yourself when in your in the state of depression. This is a really dangerous condition and one should be really careful and share their thought with their caregivers or friends, who might help you relieve these symptoms and can help you consult your doctor. Weight loss, nausea, reduced sense of touch or sensation, abnormal vision, unable to remember the things, and feeling nervous all the time are the common symptoms people usually experience while taking Topamax.
The reason that we are discussing this is that Topamax has the ability to enhance a person’s chance of getting thoughts of committing suicide, which includes thought of killing yourself or hurting yourself. While conducting certain clinical researches, one out of five-hundred people who were given anti-convulsants like Topamax experienced the thoughts of suicide.
Symptoms to notice while taking Topamax
Please bear in mind the following symptoms while taking Topamax as it will add more problems to your current problem.
Unusual changes in mood or behavior, new depression or worsening of depression, withdrawing from friends and family, suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, attempts to commit suicide, trouble sleeping or difficulty in sleeping, new or worsening anxiety, irritability, and an extreme increase in activity and talking are the dangerous symptoms to notice when you are taking Topamax.
If you are getting thoughts of committing suicide or if you make any attempts to commit suicide call your physician immediately. He will assess your condition and keep you in observation for two to three days. If the reason for your problem is using Topamax, your doctor will make several changes to the dosage of the drug or he may recommend other drugs.
If you or someone you know are committing suicide call 911 or consult your healthcare provider immediately and get emergency help.
About Topamax
Topamax is a drug that is prescribed by doctors which belongs to a category of medications known as antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) or anticonvulsants. It is displayed as a substitute of sulfamate monosaccharide on its food and drug administration label.
Topamax tablets which are round in shape and are consumable by mouth. The dosages in which the Topamax available are 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg. Topamax is also available as a sprinkle capsule which can be split open and can be sprinkled on the items which can be consumed as a food.
It is still unclear how the Topamax operates in your body. Abnormal anxiousness in your brain is reduced by using Topamax. While it has several other functions, Topamax influences gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA) which is a neurotransmitter.
The anxiousness region of the nervous system is regulated by Gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA). Certain psychiatric disorders like depression and excitement are caused by gamma-amino butyrate (GABA) because it plays a vital role in increasing those disorders.
What do Topamax treat? why is it prescribed?
Food and drug administration approved this drug in the year 1996 to treat conditions such as
- Partial onset or primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures
- Seizures associated with Lennox-gastaut syndrome
In 2012, food and drug administration approved topiramate with the combination of another drug called phentermine for weight loss and the brand name for this product is Qsymia.
People who are above the age of 12 years can prevent migraines with the help of Topamax medication and FDA (Food and drug administration) approved this in the year 2014. It was first approved in 1996 by the food and drug administration (FDA) to prevent seizures.
There is no clinical evidence that proves Topamax can prevent migraines. But, one thesis suggesting that Topamax can calm the overactive nerve system cells in the brain which is the main cause of migraine attacks in children and adults.
People use Topamax for various mental health conditions and this drug is also prescribed “off label” for other conditions. A drug which is not approved by the Food and Drug administration
Painful nerve conditions, seizures, cocaine addiction, migraine, alcohol addiction, obesity, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, eating disorders such as bulimia, and binge eating disorder are the multiple conditions that can be treated with the help of Topamax.
What are the side effects of Topamax?
Upper respiratory tract infection, tingling of the arms and legs, stomach pain, not feeling hungry, reduced sense of touch or sensation, weight loss, diarrhea, speech problems, nausea, fatigue, a change in the way foods taste, dizziness or sleepiness, a change in the way foods taste, slow reactions, difficulty with memory, nervousness, fever, and abnormal vision are the possible side effects of Topamax.
Suicidal thoughts, kidney stones, decreased sweating, increased body temperature, increased level of acid in your blood, and eye problems such as acute myopia, secondary closed-angle glaucoma, visual field defects, vision loss are considered as the severe symptoms of Topamax.
Have a word with your physician if you want to use Topamax while you are pregnant. Because there are chances of Topamax may cause harm to the fetus. Because this drug might cause an infant to born with cleft lip, low weight, and cleft palate.
Conclusion
Depression or bipolar disorder with depression cannot be treated by Topamax and also food and drug administration not approved this drug to treat these disorders, but this drug will be helpful for the people who didn’t get relief from depression by using other antidepressant medications or drugs.
Due to this reason, your physician may prescribe this drug to you after checking your medical history, the medications that you have been used and considering the medications that you are currently taking for other problems.
It’s vital for you to have a word with your physician regarding your option of taking Topamax for your condition as this drug can cause severe depression and suicidal thoughts in certain people.
Before considering Topamax is the best option for your condition, it’s important for you to evaluate the risks and dangers of this medication and also the potential benefits of taking this drug.
Call 911 or your mental health provider immediately if you are getting frequent suicidal thoughts or noticed the severe symptoms of depression such as hopelessness, insomnia, hallucinations or delusions, inability to take care of oneself, and irritability. Your physician may recommend you to try another medication or adjust the dosage of your current medication.
Sirisha B