Topamax And Kidney Problems

Topamax is used to treat epilepsy or seizure. With proper dosage, it is very effective for epilepsy patients, but it can cause many side effects including kidney problems.

Proper dosage for those that have no kidney problem

200mg is the minimal dosage for taking curative effects for epilepsy. The usual dosage for adults and elderly people that have no kidney problem is 200-400mg/d, taken in 2 times. For children, it can be started with daily dosage of 12.5-25mg and then have gradual increase of the dosage and maintain a daily dosage of 100mg.

The dosage of epilepsy should have proper adjustment according to the patient’s illness conditions and clinical curative effects. If the patients are allergic to topamax, it should be stopped.

For those that have kidney problems

Since topamax and its metabolic products are mainly discharged and excreted through the kidneys. If the patient has kidney problem, it will take longer time to remove the breakdowns of topamax. If it takes 4-8 days for healthy kidneys to recover stable and normal plasma concentration, it may take 10-15 days for those that have moderate or serious renal damages. What is more, long term use of topamax will increase burdens to the impaired kidneys, therefore it is necessary to tell the doctor before starting topamax for the sake of preventing potential damages to the kidneys.

For kidney dialysis patients

Since dialysis can remove topamax from the blood, therefore patients need to increase its dosage during dialysis to ensure the efficacy of the drug. It should be discussed with the doctor or nurse that is in charge of your dialysis treatment.

Side effects of topamax

Long term intake of topamax can cause a series of side effects such as confusion, dizziness, fatigue, drowsiness, poor appetite, nausea, loss of appetite without trying, difficulty in expression, mood swing, eye sight problems, etc.