• Effectiveness

  Moderate (for epilepsy)
• Side effects

  Severe (for Overall) (memory problems, numbness and tingling with pins and needles, anorexia (appetite loss), cognitive confusion)
• Adherence

  Usually
• Burden

  Very hard to take

Dosage: 200 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: I essentially lost 6 months of my life. I only have a few impressions, almost a memory of a horrible nightmare. According to my wife, I don't want to remember it.

• Effectiveness

  Slight (for migraine headaches)
• Effectiveness

  None (for multiple sclerosis)
• Side effects

  Mild (for Overall) (mean feelings)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

Dosage: 100 mg Daily

Cost: < $25 monthly

• Effectiveness

  Major (for epilepsy)
• Side effects

  Mild (for Overall) (Reduced Sweating, alternating constipation and diarrhea, tingling in extremities, constipation, weight loss, difficulty speaking (dysarthria), decreased sweating (hypohidrosis))
• Adherence

  Usually
• Burden

  A little hard to take

Dosage: 500 mg Daily

Cost: < $25 monthly

• Effectiveness

  Major (for epilepsy)
• Side effects

  Moderate (for Overall) (Reduced Sweating, alternating constipation and diarrhea, tingling in extremities, constipation, weight loss, difficulty speaking (dysarthria), decreased sweating (hypohidrosis))
• Adherence

  Usually
• Burden

  Somewhat hard to take

Dosage: 500 mg Daily

Cost: < $25 monthly

• Effectiveness

  None (for migraine headaches)
• Side effects

  Severe (for Overall) (brain fog)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

Dosage: 100 mg Daily

Cost: < $25 monthly

• Effectiveness

  Major (for headaches)
• Side effects

  Severe (for Overall) (blurry vision, pain behind eye, reoccuring urinary tract infection, kidney pain)
• Adherence

  Usually
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

Dosage: 100 mg Daily

• Effectiveness

  None (for difficulty staying asleep)
• Side effects

  None (for Overall)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

Dosage: 50 mg Daily

Cost: < $25 monthly

• Effectiveness

  Slight (for seizures)
• Side effects

  Severe (for Overall) (dizziness, dry mouth, paresthesia, hallucinations)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

Dosage: 25 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: I would never take this medication again. And if any of you smoke weed to alleviate pain this medication causing horrible hallucinations and time lapses accompanied by severe headaches

Cost: < $25 monthly

• Effectiveness

  Can't tell (for seizures)
• Side effects

  Mild (for Overall) (dizziness, dry mouth, paresthesia, hallucinations)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

Dosage: 25 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: I don't recommend this medication

Cost: < $25 monthly

• Effectiveness

  Major (for epilepsy)
• Side effects

  Moderate (for Overall) (vision changes, sensory changes, sleepiness, hard sneezing, weight loss, cough, sensory sensitivity, numbness and tingling with pins and needles, heightened sense of smell (hyperosmia), decreased appetite)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

Dosage: 75 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: I have been on seizure control meds all my life, this is the first one that actually helped me lose weight instead of gain it. I'm not on very much Topamax, and the rumor I heard/read was that people using it gave it the name Dopamax. I'm a writer and artist. I depend on my brain, needing it to work properly so I can have a happy and functioning life. I take my 3 pills all at once, 75 mg, at night before bed so I can write during the day. It was the only way I could do it. I still feel sleepy at times but I don't feel dopey... but I'm not on a lot either. The other thing I'd say is to be prepared for an entourage of strange sensory changes and sensitivities. I see in HD, as I like to put it, experience De Javu' all the time now, see titles on book come off the cover as though I'm wearing 3D glasses all the time, I taste smell and taste certain things at certain times of the day like burning fabric or the smell of metals like iron. I also cough for no reason and I am sneezing all the time now and it's not allergies... of which I don't have any. Should you take this med, I'd say take lots of notes, start slow, and keep the communication lines very open with your doctor.

• Effectiveness

  Major (for migraine headaches)
• Side effects

  None (for Overall)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

Dosage: 200 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: This medication can cause you to loose a little weight. That said do NOT think this is a weight lose drug! You may only lose 5 lbs and it will only last a few months. Reason- you might not want to eat as much (great idea). As for migraine use- medication seems to work very well. BUT know it is designed to work in steps. If the level you are on isn't working talk with your doctor because they can and will increase the amount. Available in generic for cost savings.

Cost: < $25 monthly

• Effectiveness

  None (for migraine headaches)
• Side effects

  Moderate (for Overall) (hair loss, auras, weight loss)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

Dosage: 100 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: Slowly top up on this medication to reduce side effects and help your body get used to it.