Weight Loss on Topamax

Topamax is a prescription medication that is most commonly prescribed to patients with epilepsy. One of the most common side effects of Topamax is significant weight loss. According to Weightlossnutrition.org, about 16 percent of adults and 21 percent of children on Topamax say that they have experienced weight loss. It is very uncommon, but on occasion, Topamax will be prescribed as a weight loss medicine.

Function

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved Topamax as a weight loss medication. Your doctor, however, can prescribe this medicine for weight loss in certain situations. The FDA does not allow Topamax to be advertised as a weight loss medication, but a doctor is still able to prescribe it for weight loss if it is necessary for your condition. This is considered an "off-label" use, but it is still legal.

Side Effects

According to Drugs.com, it is not recommended to take Topamax for weight loss mostly because of the side effects associated with this medication. Common side effects include memory loss, trouble concentrating, dizziness, nervousness, fatigue, loss of appetite, upper respiratory problems and nausea, as well as sexual side effects.

Considerations

There are some situations where taking Topamax as a way to lose weight is a reasonable idea. According to Weightlossnutrition.org, if a person is morbidly obese, and intense dieting does not seem to work, taking Topamax could be an alternative. Topamax has also been shown to be extremely effective for people with type 2 diabetes. There are also several situations in which a person would absolutely not want to take Topamax for weight loss. Children need additional body weight to help them grow, so children should avoid taking Topamax if weight loss proves to be a side effect. Also, adults who do not need to lose a large amount of weight should not take Topamax for weight loss.

Alternatives

While Topamax can be used for weight loss, it is not necessarily the best way to lose weight. Dieting along with regular exercise is still recommended as the best way to lose weight. As cited on Epilepsy.emedtv.com, even if you do take Topamax for weight loss, it is still important to eat a healthy diet and exercise so that your body remains in the best shape possible. For those who only want to lose a few pounds, diet and exercise is the best way to go about losing weight.