Topiramate dosing

Table of Contents

(updated 2/2006)

Here’s the approach I’ve evolved, after watching people get substantial side effects, yet not showing those effects at the same dose when we arrived there more slowly:

  • Use a 25 mg pill (alternative approach below).
  • Cut one in half (I now tell my patients to throw away the unused half. I’m not sure about this, but heard on person say she thought the unused half, taken later, didn’t work right. I figure this lasts only a short while; better to waste a bit than wonder.)
  • Starting with one half, increase by that amount every 4-7 days
    4 days if no problems, no benefit
    7 days if uncertain
    split the dose, half in the morning, half in the evening (can be lumped as a single bedtime dose, later, unless that leads to worsening)
  • Increase until:
    a) target symptoms are clearly getting better
    b) side effects (see below)
    c) the dose equals 100 mg (time to check back with the doc’).

Alternatively, you can use the “sprinkles” capsules (so named because for kids you can open them and sprinkle on food). This approach allows you to create 7.5mg doses by opening the 15mg capsule. Do that over food and you won’t lose any! Using this approach you can go extemely slowly with dose increases.

Side effects? Confusion and loss of balance have been the limiting factors to using this medication for a lot of my patients. It’s been called “The California Drug — it makes you thin and stupid” (Californians can take the joke; they get to live there, after all). Remember, some have been able to tolerate doses that caused these side effects by going back to a tolerable dose and increasing more slowly. The confusion starts with having trouble remembering names — first proper names, then names for everyday things, and then even how to do basic things like making cookies from scratch even though you’ve done it a hundred times before. The balance problem can be severe — one of my patients fell into her oven and burnt her arm catching herself. Ok, you got the message: be careful!

Do Benzos Treat Depression?

Around 50 controlled trials have tested benzodiazepines in depression, and the results are surprising. In this episode we look at the controversies surrounding this research and what it means for practice.

Read More »

Get Smarter About Mental Health

Our Brain Bulletin decodes mental health updates for you.

It’s free.