Can Topamax be used to treat migraines?

Answer 1

== == Yes. Topamax is an anti-epileptic medication (AED). It has shown off-label benefit to migraine patients in doses from 25mg to 200mg. Side effects can be pretty harsh on the body for some people, so make sure you find a Doctor Who is willing to up the dose slowly. Addition by Echo646: One of the ways to reduce the side effects is to split the dose between morning and night. Update: Topamax was approved for the prevention of migraine several years ago. It is one of the most commonly used migraine preventive agents - taken once daily. Topamax significantly reduces the amount of migraine headaches and the disability associated with attacks. Some people, who have in exess of 3 migraines a month, get rid of their migraines altogether. Side effects are not an issue at the low dose needed for migraines (100 mg/ day). I wonder where people get their misinformation... Probably from actually taking the medication. I take the medication for migraine...

Note: Side effects vary with people. There are some people who cannot tolerate the lowest dose, 25 mg. There are some people who go up to the highest doses used for migraine without a problem (200mg). There are also people who can go up to 800mg/day or 1000mg/day, the highest dose used for neuropathic pain or epilepsy.

Side effects always vary with the person taking the medication. But they still bear repeating.

Answer 2

Absolutely, topiramate (Topamax) is commonly used for migraine prophylaxis for patients with frequent migraines. Unlike pain medications for migraine headaches, topiramate must be taken on a daily basis to be effective. There are many side effects (weight loss, birth defects if pregnant, dizziness and drowsiness just to name a few) and it interacts with many medications (including Birth Control!!!), so the benefits/risks must be analyzed when considering this medication. Update: Topamax is the number one prescribed migraine preventive agent in the US by both Neurologists and PCPs. The side effects are limited at the low dose needed to control migraine. Please note that the information shared above by the original poster is not 100% correct. The most common side effects upon initiation of TPM is paresthesia (or tingling in the fingers/toes) and loss of appetite. The recommended dose of TPM is 50 mg taken twice a day (total of 100 mg). Topamax does not interfere with birth control medications at doses lower than 200 mg. Since the dose for migraine is 100 mg, drug interactions with birth control meds should not be an issue. The truth of the matter is, Topamax is one of the most effective medications for managing migraine - and it has become the gold standard.

Answer 3

Yes, nortriptyline is one of many anti-depressant medications used to prevent migraines. It is a tricyclic anti-depressant which works with serotonin receptors in your brain. If nortriptyline does not work for you, there are many other medications you can try, including medications which are not anti-depressants, but are in other categories such as blood pressure medications and anti-seizure medications.

You can save money on a prescription.
Shop around at as many pharmacies as possible. Don't forget to include online pharmacies in your search, as they often have the best prices, and you can save a lot of money on a prescription.
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P.S Many online reliable pharmacies will be happy to provide the prescription to anyone who can answer a few simple questions.

Answer 4

Yes. It is most often prescribed by neurologists as a migraine preventive (or for migraine prophylaxis, as it is termed, medically).