Can you gain weight on Topamax?
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
Can you gain weight on Topamax?
Topamax may cause weight gain in some people. Although Topamax is commonly associated with weight loss, some individuals may experience weight gain as a side effect. It’s important to note that the likelihood of weight gain can vary from person to person, and not everyone will experience this effect.
If you are concerned about weight gain while taking Topamax, it is recommended to discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider. Your doctor will determine the exact cause of your weight gain and will guide you accordingly.
What does research suggest?
Several research studies have indicated that Topiramate can help you lose weight. This is one of the known effects of the medication and weight gain is reported only in a few cases.
In various research studies involving over 500 patients, the use of Topiramate (Topamax) has been explored for managing and preventing weight gain associated with antipsychotic medications.
These studies, including meta-analyses and controlled and non-controlled trials, typically lasted around 12 weeks but some were as long as 18 months.
The findings indicate that most patients experienced a modest weight loss, with an average range of approximately 1.27 to 3.95 kg. This suggests that Topiramate may be beneficial in helping to counteract the weight gain associated with antipsychotic medications (1).
In a study conducted at a headache clinic, researchers examined the use of Topiramate for migraine prevention. Although the study had some limitations in its methods, the findings showed that most participants were able to adhere well to the Topiramate treatment in a real-world setting.
Additionally, the majority of patients experienced weight loss and a decrease in the frequency of their headaches. Importantly, the side effects associated with Topiramate were found to be acceptable (2).
Another research study investigated the use of Topiramate to address weight gain caused by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in individuals with anxiety disorders.
The study concluded that Topiramate can be effective in managing weight gain specifically caused by SSRIs in individuals with anxiety disorders, as the subjects experienced an average weight loss of 4.2 kilograms after the addition of Topiramate to the regimen (3).
The majority of the findings indicate that Topiramate can cause weight loss and not weight gain. However, people are different and can respond differently to medications. Some people may gain weight after stopping Topamax.
What to do if you’re gaining weight on Topamax?
If you’re experiencing weight gain while taking Topamax, there are a few steps you can take. First, it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider. They can evaluate your situation and determine if the weight gain is indeed related to the medication or if there are other factors involved.
If it is determined that the weight gain is associated with Topamax, your doctor may consider adjusting the dosage or exploring alternative treatment options.
They may also recommend making certain lifestyle changes, such as adopting a healthy eating plan and increasing physical activity, to help manage your weight.
Remember, it’s crucial to follow your doctor’s guidance and not make any changes to your medication or dosage without consulting them first.
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References
1.-
Generali JA, Cada DJ. Topiramate: antipsychotic-induced weight gain. Hosp Pharm. 2014 Apr;49(4):345-7. doi: 10.1310/hpj4904-345. PMID: 24958940; PMCID: PMC4062746. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4062746/
2.-
Krymchantowski A, Tavares C. Weight variations in patients receiving topiramate migraine prophylaxis in a tertiary care setting. MedGenMed. 2004 Jul 14;6(3):48. PMID: 15520672; PMCID: PMC1435640. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1435640/
3.-
Van Ameringen M, Mancini C, Pipe B, Campbell M, Oakman J. Topiramate treatment for SSRI-induced weight gain in anxiety disorders. J Clin Psychiatry. 2002 Nov;63(11):981-4. doi: 10.4088/jcp.v63n1104. PMID: 12444810. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12444810/
