topiramate
Topiramate is used alone or with other medications to treat certain types of seizures including primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (formerly known as a grand mal seizure; seizure that involves the entire body) and partial onset seizures (seizures that involve only one part of the brain). Topiramate is also used with other medications to control seizures in people who have Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (a disorder that causes seizures and developmental delays). Topiramate is also used to prevent migraine headaches but not to relieve the pain of migraine headaches when they occur in adults and children 12 years of age and older. Topiramate is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants. It works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.
Full drug information on MedlinePlus →This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy and breastfeeding decisions should always be made with your healthcare provider.
Can taking topiramate affect fertility or make it harder to get pregnant?
It is not known whether topiramate itself makes it harder to get pregnant, though long-term use of seizure medications in people with a seizure disorder has been linked in some studies to irregular periods and difficulty getting pregnant. Topiramate may also reduce the effectiveness of hormonal birth control. Anyone with questions about fertility or contraception while taking topiramate should discuss them with their healthcare provider.
Does taking topiramate increase the risk of miscarriage?
Miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons, and it is not known whether topiramate increases the chance of miscarriage. Concerns about pregnancy loss while taking this medication are best discussed with a healthcare provider.
Does taking topiramate increase the risk of birth defects?
Every pregnancy starts with a 3–5% background risk of birth defects. Some studies suggest that first-trimester topiramate use may increase the chance of certain birth defects such as cleft lip with or without cleft palate, and hypospadias, while other studies have not reported an increased chance. Healthcare providers sometimes suggest a higher dose of folic acid for at least 3 months before pregnancy, so people taking topiramate should talk with their provider about what is right for them.
Can taking topiramate during pregnancy cause other pregnancy-related complications?
Some studies suggest that topiramate use in pregnancy may increase the chance of preterm delivery (birth before 37 weeks) or low birth weight (less than about 2500 grams). A healthcare provider can help review individual circumstances and monitoring options.
Can taking topiramate during pregnancy affect the child's brain development, learning, or behavior?
It is not known whether topiramate affects future learning or behavior. Some information suggests that prenatal topiramate exposure may increase the chance of issues such as intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders, and problems with motor coordination, while other studies have not found such associations. This is an area to discuss further with a healthcare provider.
Is it safe to breastfeed while taking topiramate?
Available information indicates that when the breastfeeding parent takes up to 200 mg of topiramate per day, the medication passes into breastmilk in small amounts. If the baby shows symptoms such as diarrhea, drowsiness, irritability, or trouble gaining weight, the child's healthcare provider should be contacted. Breastfeeding decisions while taking topiramate should be made together with a healthcare provider.
Source: MotherToBaby Fact Sheet
topiramate