Topamax Sometimes Prescribed for Bipolar Disorder

Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Topamax (topiramate) for preventing migraines and for treating seizures only. Doctors sometimes prescribe it as a treatment for psychiatric illnesses including bipolar disorder—a brain disease marked by extreme mood changes and manic depression.

Is Topamax Ineffective for Bipolar Disorder?

Though Topamax Sometimes Prescribed for Bipolar Disorder, Topamax’s appropriateness as a bipolar disorder treatment has been tested several times, with mixed results. A study published in the February 2006 Bipolar Disorder journal showed that, on its own, Topamax is ineffective on patients afflicted with the illness. While several small studies have shown that Topamax does help with mania and depression when it is administered in conjunction with other bipolar medications, in a larger study involving a group that was administered a placebo there was no difference in the bipolar disorder symptoms of the patients taking Topamax and the patients who were not actually taking it.

Is Topamax Effective for Borderline Personality Disorder?

Topamax is also sometimes used to treat the symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD), a mental illness characterized by impulsive behavior and a lack of emotional control and resulting in difficulty maintaining personal relationships and suicidal behavior. Topamax was shown to be effective at treating BPD symptoms in a study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry. The study showed that in 27 clinical trials patients randomly assigned to take anti-seizure medications including Topamax were better able to control their emotions and impulses compared to patients who were administered a placebo.

Topamax’s Dangerous Side Effects

Whether you’ve taken Topamax to treat epilepsy, to prevent migraine headaches, or to treat an off-label psychiatric illness, you are at risk of developing one or more of the many Topamax side effects. Data from the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry show that, compared to women who didn’t take any antiepileptic drugs during their pregnancies, women who took Topamax during their first trimester are approximately twice as likely to give birth to a baby with a cleft palate (1.4% compared to .07%). The drug has also been shown to cause kidney stones and eye problems, among other conditions. It can also negatively affect a user’s memory and concentration.

Speak to a Topamax Lawyer Today

If you were injured by Topamax, you might be entitled to compensation. To receive a free case review, contact the Rottenstein Law Group, a firm with more than 25 years of collective experience helping consumers take on large corporations. To get started, fill out this form or call 1 (877) 471-8940.