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Know What to Do About Severe Headaches
When to Seek Medical Care
Call a doctor if any of the following occur:
- A change in frequency, severity, or features of the migraine commonly experienced
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- A new, progressive headache that lasts for days
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- A headache brought on by coughing, sneezing, bearing down, straining while on the toilet, and so on
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- Large, unintentional loss of body weight
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- Weakness or paralysis that lasts after the headache
Go to a hospital emergency department if any of the following occur:
- Having the worst headache ever, especially if the headache came on very quickly
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- Headache associated with trauma to the head
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- Trauma to the head with loss of consciousness
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- Fever or stiff neck associated with headache
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- Decreased level of consciousness or confusion
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- Paralysis of one side of the body
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- Seizure
WebMD Medical Reference from eMedicineHealth
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.
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