What is Topamax and why people think Topamax for weight loss is effective? First off, Topamax is not a weight loss pill. It is a prescription drug (also known as Topiramate) that is used for treatment of epilepsy and the prevention of migraine headaches. However, the treatment of epilepsy causes another unexpected side effect which is weight loss. A reported weight loss of 16 percent in adults and 21 percent in children has been recorded. Health care providers have started prescribing certain Topamax dosage for weight loss but only for certain situations. But because Topamax is not recommended or even recognized as drug or medication for weight loss by the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA), this becomes an “off label” prescription or use of drug.
An “off label” prescription of a particular drug is used when the particular drug, i.e., Topamax for weight loss, used to treat a medical condition or disease is not approved by the US FDA. The US FDA will regulate how this prescription drug can be advertised or manufactured by the producing company. However, these same regulations do not actually prohibit a health care provider from prescribing the drug for different medical conditions.
Topamax has been prescribed for treatment of weight loss and obesity and to assist in the decrease of the occurrence of binge eating. Health care providers recommend a small dose of less than 25 mg daily, split into two doses which with at least twelve hours apart. However, do not expect a dramatic weight loss from Topamax as there are many factors that would affect weight loss such as bodyweight, genetic, and intensity of your activities.
However, prescription of Topamax for weight loss has also resulted in several undesirable side effects. Health reports have noted that patients who have used Topamax for weight loss have symptoms like memory loss and difficulty in concentration.
These side effects make it more difficult to tolerate Topamax and make it harder for the drug to work effectively. This is the reason why Topamax will not be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as a recommended prescription drug for weight loss because there it will unfavorably affect your daily activities. Prescribing Topamax has proven tricky because an intake of excess dosage can result in undesirable effects that can lead to something more dangerous. Common side effects include a change in taste, diarrhea, nausea and dizziness. Dangerous side effects include memory problems, fatigue, confusion and impairment of fine motor skills.
If Topamax is overdosed, complications is unbearable which include seizures, speech problems, blurred vision, loss of coordination, loss of consciousness and coma, muscle weakness and bone pain. Because of this, any amount of Topamax dosage for weight loss is not a good combination. It may lead to undesirable results that can turn fatal.
If weight loss is important to you, then the best recommendation is to change your eating habits with time proven fat loss diet and exercise regularly.