Topiramate for Binge Eating DisorderTopic OverviewTopiramate (Topamax) is a medicine that is usually used to control seizures or relieve chronic pain. This medicine is used to reduce the urge to binge in people who have binge eating disorder . Topiramate also might help a person lose weight. This medicine lowers some people's appetites. It is not clear how topiramate helps with weight loss, but experts believe that it affects brain chemicals called neurotransmitters . Common side effects of topiramate include:
Topiramate has been linked in some people to a potentially life-threatening condition called metabolic acidosis, which happens when there is too much acid in the blood. Symptoms include fatigue, lack of appetite, and rapid breathing ( hyperventilation ). If left untreated, metabolic acidosis can lead to death. In rare cases, topiramate may cause serious side effects, such as:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning on seizure medicines and the risk of suicide and suicidal thoughts. The FDA does not recommend that people stop using these medicines. Instead, people who take seizure medicine should be watched closely for warning signs of suicide. People who take seizure medicine and who are worried about this side effect should talk to a doctor. What to think aboutWomen who use topiramate during pregnancy have a slightly higher chance of having a baby with birth defects. If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, you and your doctor must weigh the risks of using this medicine against the risks of not treating your condition.
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ByHealthwise Staff Current as ofMay 3, 2017
Current as of: May 3, 2017 Author: Healthwise Staff Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & W. Stewart Agras, MD, FRCPC - Psychiatry |
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