Email a Friend
Print ArticleMigraines & Headaches Health Center
10 Important Questions to Ask Your Doctor About
Review these questions on migraines and headaches before visiting your doctor.
- How can I identify my headache triggers?
- What should I keep track of in a headache diary?
- Could any of my medicines (such as birth control pills) be making my migraines worse?
- Is there a chance my migraines might go away in a few years?
- Can hypnosis, biofeedback, or other nondrug treatments help?
- Could over-the-counter drugs be strong enough to ease my pain?
- Am I a good candidate for prescription medicines that prevent migraines?
- What are the potential side effects of the medicines you have prescribed? What can I do to minimize them?
- Are there some lifestyle changes that might help prevent my headaches, such as exercise or meditation?
- How might my migraines affect my life and what changes, if any, should I make?
WebMD 10 Questions
Migraines & Headaches Guide
TOPAMAX is approved for migraine prevention in adults only.
TOPAMAX is not used to stop a migraine after it starts.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Serious risks associated with TOPAMAX include lowered bicarbonate levels in the blood resulting in an increase in the acidity of the blood (metabolic acidosis). Symptoms could include hyperventilation (rapid, deep breathing), tiredness, loss of appetite, irregular heartbeat or changes in the level of alertness. Call your doctor immediately if you get these symptoms. Your doctor may want to do simple blood tests. Chronic, untreated metabolic acidosis may increase the risk for kidney stones or bone disease.
Other serious risks include decreased sweating, increased body temperature, kidney stones, sleepiness, dizziness, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and increased eye pressure (glaucoma). Call your doctor immediately if you have any decrease in vision or eye pain. These problems can lead to blindness if not treated right away.
More common side effects are tingling in arms and legs, loss of appetite, tiredness, nausea, diarrhea, taste change and weight loss.
Tell your doctor about other medications you take. Please see full U.S. Prescribing Information.
© 2004-2008 Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, Inc. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.
WebMD Editors’ Picks: News and Trends in Migraines
Find a hospital by procedure or condition
If you're plagued with headaches and don't know why, step away from the refrigerator. The culprit could be the food you're eating.
Most Popular Stories
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.