Topamax

science
(Chris Ward) #1

So I need a little help. I have a new Dr that is much friendlier to Keto and fasting then my last one. My body has been very difficult even on this way of life. I have had gastric sleeve but have not lost the weight. I have been on Keto for 2.5 years and while I have my BG in line the weight is still slow. I have fasted but find it a little difficult and tend to over eat on protien coming off a fast. And have lost weight but not as much as I should. She wants to put me on Topamax for weight loss.
I’m not seeking any medical adivise. I’m looking for research on how it works. I have googled but now one seems to know how it works, in fact it seems that one thing they think happens is you get in a deeper state of ketosis.

(Todd Allen) #2

I imagine you have already looked at wikipedia, but if not check it out. Looks like the drug and its metabolites have many effects. The list of possible side effects is very long.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topiramate

(Chris Ward) #3

I have looked at that article. This is one of the reasons I’m Leary of taking it. I have had reaction from from just about every medication I’ve been prescribed in the last 5 years. And I told her I have made an effort to get off of everything but Metformin.

(Todd Allen) #4

Here’s a pretty good recent research review of medications used for weight loss which includes topiramate. This link is through the science pirate website scihub as I don’t have access through work or school.

Pharmacotherapy of obesity: available medications and drugs under investigation

(mole person) #5

I took Topomax for several weeks a few years ago in an attempt to treat my near constant migraines. I found the side effects unbearable and stopped after about three weeks. The cognative impairment was so bad that I couldn’t even get through a grocery checkout, or cross a street safely. I did lose weight however. But that was because the drug rendered the tastes of many foods unpalatable. Especially sweet things.

If your life is at risk, then it’s worth a try, but I’d try hard to do it without first . It’s a very unpleasant drug.

(Pete A) #6

Ding ding!

For years I took topamax, and then lamotrogrine, same class of antiepilectic, convulsant drugs. I did indeed lose weight however with a 'diet", being it took away my appetite anyway…

Interesting this class of drugs is what took the place of a ketogenic diet as treatment for epilepsy. I’ve been off lamicral for 14 months (after time on the drug the effects go away anyway), but a Keto diet for me has the same exact effect.

Food for thought, I’m not advocating you take the drug or eat Keto, just an interesting aside. For me Keto is in place of the drugs, not in addition to.

Good luck!

(Chris Ward) #7

I’ve been Keto for 2.5 years. She did some other tests so I think I will wait for those to come back first before I consider taking the drug.
The research I found doesn’t give a clue as to how it actually works. The suggestions are that it works on both Leptin to raise and cortisol to lower. If this is the case it by mechanism low insulin. But asawanda would also lower cortisol. Dietary fat would raise Leptin.
One of the other suggested effects would that it puts you into a greater state of ketosis. With the aforementioned effect that would be a given.

One thing I find interesting is that is used for food addiction targeting the addiction centers of the brain. I’m not sure I’m ready to say I’m addicted to food.