Frequently Asked Questions
About TOPAMAX
What's different about TOPAMAX ?
How does TOPAMAX work?
How long will it take for TOPAMAX to work?
Will I still need to take other migraine medications?
Can I take TOPAMAX with other prescription medications?
How long has TOPAMAX been available in the U.S.?
What if I miss a dose?
How should TOPAMAX tablets be stored?
Do I need to take TOPAMAX with food?
What side effects might I experience?
Is TOPAMAX safe to take while pregnant?
Is TOPAMAX safe to take while breast-feeding?
About Migraines
What causes migraines?
How do I know if I am having a migraine or just a bad headache?
Should I talk to my healthcare professional?
What steps can I take to manage my migraines better?
Where can I go for more information?
What's different about TOPAMAX?
Unlike medicine you take when you feel migraine headache pain coming on, TOPAMAX is a daily medication that helps keep migraines from starting in the first place so you can get fewer of them to think about.
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How does TOPAMAX work?
Although the exact way TOPAMAX works is unknown, it's believed to help "calm" overexcitable nerve cells in the brain so they don't send out the signals that can cause migraines.
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How long will it take for TOPAMAX to work?
Clinical studies found that TOPAMAX began reducing the frequency of migraines at 1 month and showed sustained improvement throughout the 6-month studies.
To achieve best results, TOPAMAX should be taken for 2 to 3 months and then its effectiveness can be determined.
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Will I still need to take other migraine medications?
While TOPAMAX may help reduce the number of migraines you suffer, some patients could still have an occasional migraine attack. For this reason, your healthcare professional might prescribe an additional medication along with TOPAMAX as part of a treatment program.
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Can I take TOPAMAX with other prescription medications?
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. TOPAMAX and certain other medicines can affect each other. Sometimes the dose of some of your other medicines or TOPAMAX will have to be adjusted. Especially, tell your healthcare professional if you are taking:
- Other medicines that impair or decrease your thinking, concentration, or muscle coordination (e.g. central nervous system depressant medicines)
- Birth control pills. TOPAMAX may make your birth control pills less effective. Tell your healthcare professional if your menstrual bleeding changes while you are taking birth control pills and TOPAMAX.
Keep a list of all the medicines you take. Show this list to your healthcare professionals and pharmacists before you start a new medicine.
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How long has TOPAMAX been available in the U.S.?
TOPAMAX has been available worldwide since 1995. Since that time, more than 4 million patients have been treated with TOPAMAX (regardless of condition). Like many other migraine preventive medications, TOPAMAX was initially studied for another medical condition and was then approved in 2004 for use in reducing migraine frequency. Today, TOPAMAX is the #1 prescribed brand for migraine prevention in the U.S.
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What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a single dose of TOPAMAX, take it as soon as you can. However, if you are within 6 hours of taking your next scheduled dose, wait until then to take your usual dose of TOPAMAX, and skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose. If you have missed more than one dose, you should call your healthcare professional for advice.
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How should TOPAMAX Tablets be stored?
Store TOPAMAX tablets in tightly closed containers at room temperature, 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C). Protect from moisture.
Store TOPAMAX sprinkle capsules in tightly closed containers at or below 77°F (25°C). Protect from moisture.
Keep TOPAMAX and all medicines out of the reach of children.
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Do I need to take TOPAMAX with food?
TOPAMAX can be taken with or without food.
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What side effects might I experience?
Like most other over-the-counter and prescription medications, TOPAMAX may cause side effects. Side effects with TOPAMAX are mostly mild or moderate, and occurred most often during the initial phase of therapy. While these side effects vary for everyone, most people continue their TOPAMAX therapy. To read a list of the most common side effects see the bottom of every page throughout this site. To view a complete description of side effects, click here.
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Is TOPAMAX safe to take while pregnant?
The safety of TOPAMAX in pregnancy has not been established. TOPAMAX should be given during pregnancy only upon the recommendation of your healthcare professional and only if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus. Talk to your healthcare professional if you are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant while on TOPAMAX.
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Is TOPAMAX safe to take while breast-feeding?
TOPAMAX may be excreted into the breast milk. Therefore, it is important to speak to your healthcare professional before considering breast-feeding while on TOPAMAX. He or she will determine if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the infant.
For more information you can also call the TOPAMAX® CAN Hotline to speak with friendly and knowledgable healthcare professionals. Call 1-877-YES-YOU-CAN (1-877-937-9682). The call is free and so is the information. Our extended hours are Monday to Friday,
9 am to 8 pm EST.
The program is not meant to replace conversations with your healthcare professional.
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What Causes Migraines?
No one knows exactly why migraines happen, but it's thought that a series of events begins with the excitement of nerve cells in the brain. These overexcitable nerve cells then send out impulses to the blood vessels in the brain. The nerve releases substances that cause inflammation and swelling of the blood vessels resulting in throbbing.
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How do I know if I am having a migraine or just a bad headache?
Migraines are not always easy to detect. That's why you should always let your healthcare professional identify your symptoms.
Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. Most people describe these headaches as a mild or moderate pressing, or tightening, head pain. Typically, tension headaches respond well to over-the-counter treatments. Unlike migraines, they are not accompanied by nausea or light and sound sensitivity. Also, normal activity will not typically aggravate them.
Migraine headaches, on the other hand, often feature:
- Throbbing head pain
- Worsening pain with routine activity
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Light and sound sensitivity
Often, people with watery eyes, runny nose, nasal congestion and headache may think they have a sinus headache. What they may be experiencing is a migraine. Nearly half of all migraine patients experience ocular or nasal symptoms, along with head pain. That's why it's always critical to talk to your healthcare professional.
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Should I talk to my healthcare professional?
Your healthcare professional is always the best person to review your medical history, understand your migraine patterns, and recommend treatment. Of course, you are a partner in your migraine management. That's why it's important to do your part. Prepare for your appointment by bringing your migraine diary and completed discussion guide. This will help you get the most from your appointment.
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What steps can I take to manage my migraines better?
A migraine is triggered under specific conditions. Migraine patients get headaches sooner than other people because they have less resistance to the triggers that can aggravate, or stimulate a response.
Different people respond to different triggers, but the most common include:
- Dietary factors (irregular meal patterns, missing meals, sweets, starchy foods, too much caffeine)
- Sleep disturbances (irregular sleep patterns, too much or too little sleep)
- Emotional factors (excitement, anger, fear, anxiety, stress, letdowns)
- Environmental factors (weather changes, bright or glaring lights, loud noise, strong odors)
- Alcohol (wine, champagne, beer, liquors)
- Food additives (such as MSG and nitrates that are found in pepperoni, luncheon meats, and hot dogs)
- Hormone cycles or changes (menstruation, oral contraceptives, estrogen replacement)
- Medication overuse (frequent use of over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers)
And you can begin to understand your individual triggers better by tracking them with a migraine diary.
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Where can I go for more information?
Mind Over Migraine
An educational initiative designed to empower people with migraine to manage their migraine attacks and gain more control — includes a migraine simulator and migraine podcasts.
American Council for Headache Education (ACHE)
Consumer-friendly site where you'll find discussion groups and a handy physician search tool.
National Headache Foundation
Some of the latest research and treatment developments, educational resources, and events.
Ortho-McNeil Migraine Solutions
Great basic, easy-to-understand information on the migraine condition, symptoms, triggers, diagnosis, and treatment solutions.
American Academy of Neurology
Valuable resource for medical specialists worldwide who are committed to improving the care of patients with neurological diseases
