Can Topamax make you tired?
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
Can Topamax make you tired?
Topamax (Topiramate) can make you feel tired, especially during the early course of your treatment with this medication. However, the side effects don’t stay for too long and usually start to go away once your body adjusts to the medication.
Not just tiredness, there are a number of other side effects that may affect you when you’re new to the medication, but they all eventually subside on their own.
What does research suggest?
Research suggests that fatigue is a relatively common side effect of Topamax, occurring in approximately 10-15% of people who take the medication. (1,2)
The exact mechanism through which Topamax causes fatigue is not fully understood. However, it is believed to involve the drug’s effects on neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate. (3)
Topamax may alter the balance of these neurotransmitters, which can affect brain activity and potentially contribute to feelings of tiredness or fatigue. It may also trigger unusual cravings and lead to weight gain over time. (4)
It’s important to note that not everyone who takes Topamax will experience fatigue, and the severity of the side effect can vary from person to person.
Should you be concerned about Topamax-induced tiredness?
You shouldn’t worry much about tiredness caused by Topamax if you’re just getting started with your treatment. This is considered one of the most common startup side effects of this medication and it fades away on its own. However, you should be careful while it lasts.
Tiredness can affect your alertness and concentration, which may compromise your ability to safely operate machinery or drive for extended periods. If you feel excessively tired, it’s better to avoid these activities or take frequent breaks.
What to do if Topamax makes you tired?
If you are taking Topamax and feel excessively tired or fatigued, it is recommended to discuss your symptoms with your healthcare provider. They can evaluate your specific situation, consider other possible causes for your fatigue, and make appropriate recommendations.
In some cases, adjusting the dosage of Topamax or trying alternative medications may help alleviate the fatigue.
Your healthcare provider may also suggest lifestyle modifications, such as getting enough sleep, maintaining a balanced diet, and engaging in regular physical activity, as these factors can influence energy levels.
Remember, every individual responds differently to medications, and the incidence and severity of side effects can vary. It is essential to consult with your healthcare provider to address any concerns or symptoms you may be experiencing.
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References
1.-
Fariba KA, Saadabadi A. Topiramate. 2023 Jan 31. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 32119417. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554530
2.-
Perucca E. A pharmacological and clinical review on topiramate, a new antiepileptic drug. Pharmacol Res. 1997 Apr;35(4):241-56. doi: 10.1006/phrs.1997.0124. PMID: 9264038. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9264038/
3.-
Mula M, Cavanna AE, Monaco F. Psychopharmacology of topiramate: from epilepsy to bipolar disorder. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2006 Dec;2(4):475-88. doi 10.2147/nedt.2006.2.4.475. PMID: 19412496; PMCID: PMC2671954. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2671954/
4.-
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/
