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Does Topiramate Help In Reducing Weight?

Posted on Mon, 5 Oct 2015

Question: Hi, my doctor friend has suggested me Topiramate for weight loss, he said it will suppress my appetite and reduce my food intake which will lead to weight loss, i've gained weight due to betnesol, i stopped taking it since a year, but havent lost weight, working out in the gym past 8 months, lost 12 kgs, I use inhaler for wheezing purpose rather than that no other medicine. Please suggest.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Topiramate helps in reducing the weight

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Welcome to Health Care Magic

Topiramate is a mood stabilizer drug and is known to result in loss of weight if taken regularly. Various studies support the role of Topiramate in weight loss. You have gained weight after use of steroids and in my opinion the use of Topiramate will help in reducing the weight. Doses of 50-100 mg per day if used regularly will help in maintaining weight. The drug is a safe drug and is free of serious side effects. So you can go for this drug without any fear.

This is a prescription drug. Visit your doctor for a prescription of the drug.

Thanks, Hope this helps you, if you have more doubts you can ask again

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)

Thanks for the reply doctor, should i need to follow a certain kind of diet while taking this medicine, anything which i shouldnt take, this tablet should be taken before or after food, how many times in a day. my current weight is 118 kgs, any XXXXXXX brand name if you can suggest. As said the weight was gained by steroid, should i go through some detoxification before starting this medicine, I would want to detoxify my body once, how to do it, any medicine over the counter which will remove the waste water and toxins from my body.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Topiramate aids in weight loss.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up

As such there is no specific dietary plan that should be followed while on this medicine. In general diets rich in proteins, complex carbs and low in fats and refined carbs result in weight loss. Citrus fruits like lemon, oranges etc also increase the lipolysis and thus help in weight loss.

Topaz, Topirol etc are commonly used brands in XXXXXXX

No need to go for detoxification. Reduce the doses of steroid gradually to prevent steroid withdrawal. For proper tapering of steroid consult your doctor.

In my opinion even stopping the steroid would help in reversing the weight gain. Start Topiramate if needed strongly.

Thanks. Hope this helps you. If you still have more doubts please ask again.

Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (15 hours later)

Hi Dr, I have stopped taking steroids a year back, i did not taper it while leaving as i didn't knew how to do it, reversing the weight gain didn't happen in my case, i even gained a lot of it. i also have pink marks (lines) on my stomach due to the steroids, i have no proper control on my diet, so i wanted something which could avoid me in binge eating and over eating, i do cardio for 20 minutes and do some strength training 5 times a week, hope this medicine helps me in losing weight.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes the medicine will help in loosing the weight.

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking again

As you have stopped steroids one year back and the weight gain didn't reduce so in such case to loose weight you have to do a lot of hard work. You are doing good exercise per week and that would maintain the metabolism.

As I have mentioned earlier also take diet rich in proteins and low in fats and refined carbs. Plenty of citrus fruits helps to mobilise the fat. High fibre diets especially cucumber helps in weight loss.

A lot of studies support the role of Topiramate in weight loss if taken regularly. Continue to do exercise, dietary adjustments and start taking the medicine after consultation of your doctor. All this will surely help in loosing the weight. The medicine will help to control binge eating episodes also.

Thanks. Hope this helps. Still have more doubts please ask again.

Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (3 days later)

Hi dr, sorry to bother you again, I have started taking topamac 50mg from today, I didn't get the other brand topamax, so is topamac same as topamax and topaz and how should I start it, as I have had it after my breakfast, for how many days I have to take it once a day, when to change it to twice and when to increase the dosage. Thanks

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You can increase the doses in about a week

Detailed Answer:
Hello again, thanks for asking a follow up

Yes these all are same, no problem with that.

In my opinion take 50 mg dose for a week and then increase the doses to 100 mg per day. This dose should help but the doses can be increased to 200 mg per day also. You can take twice a day doses after meals.

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (12 days later)

Hi Dr, hope you are doing well, wanted to let you know about the progress after taking topiramate. Started taking 50mg at night continued for 10 days did not get any symptoms as such, no such changes in eating or appetite, have started taking 50 mg day and night from last 3 days, have not seen much changes as well but feel some prickling sensation at foot sometimes and got burning sensation in the chest at starting, no changes in weight and appetite, so dr how to continue with the medicine and dose going forward.

Medicine - Topirol 50mg.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Wait for some more time to see full effects

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking again from HCM

Topiramate is a drug that cause weight loss if taken regularly for long time. In most of individuals the drug show excellent effects in 100-200 mg per day doses. In my opinion wait for some time to see proper improvement. Continue to take drug for at least 6 months. No need to worry from any side effects.

Thanks, Hope this helps.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (3 days later)

Hi Dr Seikhoo, Thanks for the suggestion last time, couldn't reply you as i was busy with my schedule, past few days i have been experiencing eye pain and discomfortness, there is no change in vision, is there any need to worry, i see many people on web complain of eye problems after taking topiramate, so little concerned,

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry

Detailed Answer:
Hello again, thanks for asking a follow up

No need to worry, the drug is safe. You are not on very high doses so no need to worry. Continue to take the drug as prescribed doses.

Thanks, Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (3 days later)

Hi dr, i have completed the 50 mg dose which i was taking day and night for 10 days, So have taken 50 mg tab for 20 days till now. can i start 100 mg from tomorrow, please let me know.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Yes the doses can be increased.

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking again.

As you have taken 50 mg twice a day for last 20 days you can increase the doses without any fear. No need to worry.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (2 hours later)

So dr now I have to take 100 mg tablet day and night, and for how many days should I continue the dose. Please confirm.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Increase the doses gradually

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

Please increase the dose to 150 mg (50 in morning and 100 in evening) for 2 weeks and then 100 mg twice a day for about 3-6 months.

Thanks

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar