Why does topiramate help migraines?

It’s thought that topiramate calms overactive nerve cells in the brain that cause migraines. For epilepsy, it can take 1 to 2 weeks for topiramate to work properly. For migraines, it can take 1 month for migraine attacks to be less frequent. But it can take 2 to 3 months for topiramate to fully work.

Is topiramate effective for migraines?

Topiramate is an antipileptic drug with a complex mode of action which has proven its efficacy and safety in the prophylactic treatment of episodic migraine in a number of randomized controlled clinical trials. Topiramate is also effective in treating patients with chronic migraine.

What is topiramate mechanism of action?

Topiramate has been observed to exert actions on voltage-dependent sodium channels, GABA receptors, and glutamate receptors. Topiramate stimulates GABA-A receptor activity at brain non-benzodiazepine receptor sites and reduces glutamate activity at both AMPA and kainate receptors.

What kind of migraines does Topamax treat?

Migraines. In 2004, the FDA approved Topamax for the prevention of migraine headaches in people 12 years of age and older. Topamax does not relieve the pain of a migraine after it starts, but it is believed to reduce migraine frequency by calming overactive pain-signal firing in nerve cells.

How many mg of Topamax should I take for migraines?

The recommended dosage of topiramate for migraine prevention is 50 mg twice per day. Patients should start with 25 mg once per day, then increase by 25 mg per week up to the recommended dosage.

Is 400 mg of Topamax too much?

The recommended total daily dose of TOPAMAX® as adjunctive therapy in adults with partial onset seizures or Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome is 200 to 400 mg/day in two divided doses, and 400 mg/day in two divided doses as adjunctive treatment in adults with primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures.

Is topiramate effective for preventing migraines?

Although the drug topiramate initially was developed for the treatment of epilepsy and received its first US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for that purpose, it subsequently was shown to be effective for the prevention of migraine headaches and is FDA approved for that indication as well.

Does anyone take Topamax for migraines?

Topamax will not treat a migraine, it will only help prevent one from developing. As with other antiepileptics,Topamax may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior; monitor for worsening depression or mood changes. The dosage of Topamax may need reducing in people with kidney or liver disease.

Can Topamax be used to treat migraines?

Topiramate (Topamax) is a medicine used to treat epilepsy and prevent migraines. It decreases overly active brain signaling and is used alone or combined with other antiepileptic medicines to treat seizures.

How to stop taking Topamax for migraines?

The precise way Topiramate works to prevent migraine is unknown. It is thought that the medication blocks sodium channels and increases the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain. This likely inhibits some of the receptors in nerve cells, which reduce electrical activity and contribute to the development of migraine.