No, you should not stop taking Topamax (topiramate) cold turkey. This can be dangerous and lead to serious side effects, including seizures. It’s important to talk to your doctor first if you want to stop taking Topamax or change your dose. They can help you taper off the medication safely and gradually.
Why Can’t I Stop Taking Topamax Cold Turkey?
Topamax is a medication that affects the brain. When you stop taking it suddenly, your brain doesn’t have time to adjust. This can cause a number of side effects, including:
- Seizures
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Tremors
- Anxiety
- Depression
In some cases, stopping Topamax cold turkey can even be life-threatening.
How Do I Safely Stop Taking Topamax?
If you need to stop taking Topamax, it’s important to do it gradually under the supervision of your doctor. They will help you create a tapering schedule that is right for you. This will help your brain adjust to the lower doses of medication and reduce the risk of side effects.
The amount of time it takes to taper off Topamax will vary depending on the individual. Some people may be able to taper off in a few weeks, while others may need to taper off over several months
What Should I Do If I Have Already Stopped Taking Topamax Cold Turkey?
If you have already stopped taking Topamax cold turkey and are experiencing side effects, it’s important to see your doctor right away. They can help you manage your symptoms and get back on track.
Additional Resources
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
- The Recovery Village: This website provides information on Topamax addiction, withdrawal, and detox.
- Drugs.com: This website provides information on Topamax, including side effects, interactions, and how to safely stop taking the medication.
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: This website provides information on epilepsy, including treatment options.
It is important to talk to your doctor before stopping Topamax. They can help you taper off the medication safely and gradually to reduce the risk of side effects. If you have already stopped taking Topamax cold turkey and are experiencing side effects, it’s important to see your doctor right away.
Topamax and Liver Health
Topiramate is linked with hepatic ( liver ) failure. 2 Kidney stone formation is another known outcome of taking Topamax. 10 Withdrawing from the drug may be advised despite the discomforts associated with it if there are significant risks to one’s health. Rebounding underlying conditions that the drug suppresses, like migraines or seizures, can occur during or after withdrawal, especially in cases where the drug is stopped suddenly or abruptly. Severe changes brought on by Topamax withdrawal can be avoided by a very gradual and well-monitored approach. Our general recommendations would minimally be two-fold:
- Never abruptly discontinue anti-seizure medication ( cold turkey ).
- Seek trained medical and clinical oversight during gradual tapering.
Suicidality- Depression
- Fatigue
- Difficulty with concentration, focus, and memory
- Mood problems
- Paraesthesia: a tingling sensation in different body parts’ skin
- Psychomotor disturbances
- Impairment of taste sensation
- Weight loss
- Dizziness
- Asthenia
- Insomnia
- Somnolence
- Birth defects when used in pregnancy
- Hyperthermia
- Cognitive dysfunction, confusion
- Acute myopia and other eye disorders
- Infection
- Flushing
- Fever
- Metabolic acidosis
- Hypothermia when used concurrently with valproic acid
Topamax for Seizure Prevention
Topamax is a drug commonly used in the prevention of seizures. 3 Seizures can be brought on because of various causes:
- Epilepsy
- Brain/head trauma
- Heavy alcohol use, heavy amphetamine use
- Withdrawal from alcohol and certain other drugs
- Sleep deprivation
- Brain tumor
- Genetic factors
- Infection
- Venom (i.e., from insect bites)
- Stroke
Topamax is one of several anticonvulsants that can successfully prevent or reduce the occurrence of seizures. However, the side effects can make the drug unsuitable for some.
Topamax and Your Brain
FAQ
How do I stop taking Topamax 50mg?
How long does 50mg of Topamax stay in your system?
How fast can you taper off Topamax?
What is an alternative to topiramate 50 mg?
Can I stop taking topiramate cold turkey?
Never stop taking topiramate cold turkey. Set up a meeting with your doctor to gradually lower your Topamax dose if you are interested in discontinuing your topiramate treatment. Lowering your Topamax over time will help you avoid enhanced, unwanted topiramate withdrawal symptoms. This will also help you safely detox from topiramate.
Should I drop Topamax cold turkey?
Wondering if this is simply deteriorationg of my MAV or my body not tolerating the Topamax, my doctor said that I should drop the Topamax cold turkey (i.e., an abrupt drop from 100 mg to 0 mg) which will eliminate the substance from my system in five days, and then “we’ll see what happens.” I have a few concerns, to say the least:
When should I stop taking Topamax?
Only stop Topamax suddenly if your doctor tells you to. Your doctor can determine the best way to slowly stop your medicine to lower your risk for a seizure. Never stop taking Topamax suddenly, or “cold turkey”, because this may cause you to have an increased risk of seizures, more frequent seizures, or other serious withdrawal symptoms.
Can I stop taking Topamax If I have epilepsy?
Never stop taking Topamax suddenly, or “cold turkey”, because this may cause you to have an increased risk of seizures, more frequent seizures, or other serious withdrawal symptoms. This can happen even if you do not take Topamax for epilepsy. Topamax is also approved by the FDA to be used in patients to help prevent migraine headaches.