Most people who take Topamax (topiramate) have little or no problem with side effects. Those with problems most often complain of:

• fatigue or drowsiness
• difficulty with concentration
• difficulty finding the right word (word retrieval)
• confusion
• dizziness
• unsteadiness
• a feeling of pins and needles, usually in the tips of the fingers and toes
• loss of appetite and weight loss
• nervousness
• depression
• difficulty with memory

Most of these problems are more common when higher doses of Topamax are taken.

A few people do experience psychiatric disorders when they take Topamax.

If you notice any of these problems, call the doctor's office. Sometimes the doctor can help by changing the amount of Topamax you take or how you take it. Don't stop taking Topamax or change the amount you take without the doctor's guidance.

The most common side effects with Topamax are fatigue and sleepiness. If you've just started taking Topamax or have just had your dosage increased, be careful about doing things that could be dangerous (like driving or operating machinery) until you know how it will affect you. Be especially cautious if you tend to be sensitive to medications.

Be sure to read about the serious side effects so you will be aware of a few serious problems that could arise when you take Topamax. These serious problems are very rare but everyone who takes this medicine should at least be aware of them.

You shouldn't stop taking Topamax or any other seizure medicine without your doctor's advice.

Allergic reactions
A small percentage of people who take Topamax develop a skin rash within the first few weeks of taking it. If this happens, tell the doctor or nurse right away, to be sure that it's not the beginning of a serious problem. It's rare for the rash to be serious, but don't ignore it. It's often necessary to switch to a different seizure medicine.