Description
Topiramate belongs to a group of medications that are used to treat epilepsy. It works by affecting chemicals in the brain that are involved in sending signals to nerves. Topiramate is used to treat epilepsy and to prevent migraine headaches. For epilepsy, topiramate can be used alone or in combination with other epilepsy medications. For migraine prevention, topiramate is used to treat adults who have 4 or more migraine headaches a month and who have not responded to, or cannot take, medications that treat an acute migraine attack.
When used alone for the treatment of epilepsy, the recommended starting dose of topiramate for adults and children 6 years of age and older is 25 mg daily, increasing to a usual dose of 100 mg daily in 2 divided doses. The maximum recommended dose is 400 mg daily.
When used in combination with other epilepsy medications, the recommended adult dose of topiramate starts at 25 mg to 50 mg daily, increasing to a usual dose of 200 mg to 400 mg daily in 2 divided doses. The maximum recommended dose is 800 mg daily. The recommended dose for children aged 2 to 16 years starts at 25 mg daily (or 1 mg to 3 mg per kilogram of body weight), increasing to a usual dose of 5 mg to 9 mg per kilogram per day in 2 divided doses.
For migraine prevention, the usual starting dose of topiramate is 25 mg daily, increasing to a usual dose of 100 mg daily in 2 divided doses.
The tablets can be taken with or without food. Topiramate tablets should not be broken, crushed, or chewed. The sprinkle capsules can be swallowed whole or opened and sprinkled on a small amount (teaspoon) of soft food. The medication and food should be swallowed immediately and not chewed.
If it becomes necessary to stop taking topiramate, the dose should be gradually reduced to prevent a return of seizures or migraines. Talk to your doctor before stopping the medication.
