Does topiramate make you lose weight?

“Topiramate is used alone or with other medications to treat certain types of seizures in people who have epilepsy. 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 for the management of alcohol dependence (meaning you can’t drink whilst on it).

Side effects:

* paresthesia (numbness & tingling) (23.1%)
* upper respiratory tract infection (17.5%)
* diarrhea (16.8%)
* nausea (15.4%)
* anorexia (loss of appetite) (13.3%)
* memory problems (11.2%)

So, in trials, 13% of people taking it reported weight loss as a side effect. But that’s a tiny number, and the drug is NOT made for weight loss.

If you’re considering taking an anti-seizure medication made for epileptics because 13% (1/10) of people reported weight loss as a side effect, you’re mad.