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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
Topamax (topiramate) is an anticonvulsant or a drug used to treat seizures. It is also approved to prevent migraine headaches. While Topamax is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a weight loss drug, it can be used off-label for this purpose. Multiple clinical trials have demonstrated that Topamax may help people lose weight when taken in addition to making lifestyle changes like regular exercise and a reduced-calorie diet. This article explores the use of Topamax for weight loss, how it works, how to take it, potential side effects, and more. Getty Images / Grace Cary Uses of Topamax The FDA approved Topamax for:Treatment alone or in combination with other drugs for partial-onset or primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in people 2 years and olderLennox-Gastaut syndromePrevention of migraines in people 12 years and older The drug topiramate is also available in combination with the medication phentermine as one drug product called Qsymia, which is FDA-approved to treat obesity. Qsymia is meant to be used in people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kilograms per square meter or greater, or a BMI of 27 or higher if the individual also has an obesity-related condition such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. Topamax alone is not FDA-approved to treat obesity. However, a healthcare provider may still prescribe it instead of Qsymia when they want the benefits that topiramate brings without the effects of phentermine, either because an individual can’t take phentermine or if they are experiencing side effects. Furthermore, topiramate may be enough to help some people lose weight and avoid the use of extra medication they don’t need.BMI is a dated, flawed measure. It does not take into account factors such as body composition, ethnicity, sex, race, and age. Even though it is a biased measure, BMI is still widely used in the medical community because it’s an inexpensive and quick way to analyze a person’s potential health status and outcomes. Research on Topamax’s Use for Weight Loss Multiple clinical trials have shown that Topamax can lead to significant weight loss when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise regimen. One study organized 385 people into groups by BMI and then were randomized to receive a placebo (nontherapeutic substance) or topiramate at different dose levels, including: 60 milligrams (mg) daily96 mg daily192 mg daily384 mg daily All participants also had similar lifestyle plans,
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