Do I have a sleeping disorder? If so, what type?
Could I have sleep apnea?
Is my insomnia caused by an underlying medical or psychiatric illness?
If so, will treatment for this illness help ease my insomnia?
Could any of my medicines be causing my insomnia or making it worse?
If so, is it possible to change the medicines, their dosages, or the time of day that I take them?
How can I avoid becoming dependent on sleep medications?
What other side effects can I expect from sleep medications?
Could relaxation or other therapies help me sleep?
Should I see a sleep specialist?

WebMD Medical Reference

Reviewed by Jonathan L Gelfand, MD on August 01, 2007

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Diagnosis & Tests

Treatment & Care

Living & Managing

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Important Safety Information Full Prescribing Information

Real Migraines, Real People

Learn How TOPAMAX Can Help from Patients Who Have Been There

Important Safety Information | Prescribing Information

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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