Topamax is the brand name for Topiramate, which is an anticonvulsant drug manufactured by Johnson and Johnson. It was discovered way back in 1979, but is available in generic versions much later. Usually Topamax is used as seizure and epilepsy medication, but the patients using this medicine on the long run reported a considerable weight loss. So Johnson and Johnson has launched a project on finding the effect of Topiramate on weight loss.
What is Topamax?
To explain it chemically, topamax is sulfamate-substituted monosaccharide that is related to fructose. Topiramate has an unusual chemical structure to be a anticonvulsant. After its oral use, 70 percent of the drug is excreted through urine unchanged.
Why Topamax for Obesity?
The chemical structure of topamax has some effect on the enzymes controlling your body weight
Laboratory tests proved that
- There is a16 percent weight loss amoung the adults and 21 percent among children.
- Another 15 percent of people lost there appetite
- Around 15 percent of people observed taste changes
After this analysis topamax is considered for further analysis and tests for its effect on weight loss.
Side Effects
Most common form of side effect is paresthesia
and others include
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Nervousness
- Coordination problems
Close of the Project
- Initially weight loss is the side effect of topamax, then it is considered for further research on the weight loss aspect of it.
- The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) of the Us did not approved it as a medication for weight loss.
- In certain situations your health care provider may suggest the usage of topamax, but it would be a off-label medication (medicine that is not approved by FDA for that purpose)
- Although off-label medication is common, discuss with your doctor about the other side effects before the usage.
Overall, Topamax can be used for epilepsy and seizures, and during the medication you may loose some weight. But it is not an approved medication for weight loss
