Topamax And Eye Twitching

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Hi, I have been using Topamax for depression for 12 months and must admit that it has been very sucessful. The one major draw back is that I have developed a very annoying eye twitch. It only affects one eye, but is very noticeable. I was taking 100 mg twice a day, but have decreased it to 100 mg daily. The twitch has decreased somewhat, and I realize that I now have to come off this drug completely to get rid of the twitch entirely.
Has anyone else experienced this problem. I read 1 other reader, but are there more?

114 Replies (6 Pages)

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1

Sorry it took so long to reply. I had the same problem with Topamax which I use for epilepsy. It is the coating of the 100 mg for me. The 50 mg does not cause this on me, so I take 2/50 mg tablets instead. Ever heard of Topamax causing gout?

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2

I've developed an eye twitch recently, yes! I've been on 200 mg for about 6 weeks, but just in the last couple have switched to the 200 mg pill instead of 2 100 mg pills. Wonder if the coating could be an issue for me, too? That's certainly odd...

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3

Yes, the coatins on pills and the inactive ingredients can have an effect on your body and how it reacts to taking it, just as much as the drug itself can.

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4

Since my last post I switched to taking the 100 mg at night, which has helped me 2 folds. One with the annoying twitch and 2 with the lapse in recall (not sure if that has affected anyone). My pharmacist dispensed my last script in 25mg dosage, as they do not dispense it in 50 mg (here in Canada or only at my pharmacist I'm not sure). I still have the twitch so I guess they coat the tablets the same for 100 as they do 25s....... Not sure what to do now as I do not want to come off this medication. It is working too well.
thanks for the reply.

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5

When I was taking Topmax for my Bi-Polar and PTSD I begain at 300MG and I too had the 1 eye Twitch from Beyond! Nobody would acknowledge it was the MED! SO after a BRAIN SCAN etc. I had to Force my Mental Health Dr. to LOWER my Meds to 100mg. Since then I Rarely get the Twitches or Muscle Spasms any more..

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6

I have recently come off of Topamax and the twitch has gone away completely!! What a relief. My GP also wanted to send me for a CAT scan, which I did not do because I KNEW it was the meds!...So there you go! Thanks to everyone who has responded!

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7

I was been on 400mg for about 8-9 years for migraines (the most I've ever heard), another doctor reduced my dosage last year to 350 because my memory is pretty shot and I'm concerned. About 6 months ago, my left eye started twitching. I received Botox in my lid, it lasted 3 months and the twitch is back. I'm just now realizing it's the meds. I need to cut back more...or maybe all the way. I read last night that many people have gone blind from this drug. I'm getting nervous the more I learn.

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8

I've taken Topamax on and off for several years. I can't take the generic because it creates an eye twitch that could become permanent. (So says the doctor) I've never heard of it being the coating, but it is different from the brand name (yellow, not white). Since I don't have insurance I tried to get it via a Canadian pharmacy, only their "brand name" Topamax is simply the US version of a generic. I was told by the Canadian pharmacy that because it was manufactured outside the US it had to be coated differently, and the ingredients may be slightly different (as in, what you would find with a generic) Bottom line being, brand name US = no side effects, but "brand name" Canadian = eye twitch.
I called every reputable (yes, EVERY) Canadian pharmacy that sells to the US and they sell the "same" Topamax. (Manufactured by Janssen-Cilag, not Ortho-McNeil Neurologics)
I do get numbness from the generic, as well as foggy brained. Not so much from the US brand name. I'm not sure what the solution is for anyone, just thought I would put what I've found out there.
Despite being told the generic is EXACTLY the same and works EXACTLY the same way ..... not exactly. I don't know if it's the delivery system, the coating, or whatever. All I know is my body chemistry knows the generic when I take it. It is what it is.
Hope this helps.

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9

The generic toprimate is NOT the same. when I use the generic I break out in a terrible rash! So I have to use the brand name topamax! And yes I get eye twitches , only in my left eye! drives me insane! I am like everyone.. i want it to go away .. but nee the meds! the doctors don't believe its the meds either!!! why don't they believe us??

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10

I too have the "twitchy eye" it's driving me nuts! I do not want to stop taking the Topamax because it has been a godsend for my migraines. Has anyone had labwork to have their potassium levels checked since the eye twitch started? I am supposed to have mine checked next month but I may have completely lost my mind from the twitching by then......

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11

I started taking Topimax a few days ago and my right eye has been twitching ever since the first night I started taking it. I have to take the pill once a day for the first week then twice a day after that.... I'm afraid the twitching will get worse but I'm taking this for migraines. So far its not helping them but I'm willing to give it a shot just to see if this medicine works. Should I tell my dr about the twitching? Either way I'm miserable! Help!

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12

I would definitely let your doctor know about the eye twitching. Topamax has worked wonders for my migraines. My doctor had never heard of eye twitching as a side effect, but did not dismiss it. He lowered my daily dose and it has helped. I only get twitches once in awhile now and the headaches are still in good control. Talk to your doctor.c

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13

i am on 300 mg a day and i have started to notice that my lips are twitching (yes i know that this sounds weird) but its starting to annoy and freak me out so much that im about to just throw the towl in.

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14

I have been on this pill for close to 10 years now for epilepsy. It has its good parts but I definitly feel a lot of the side effects many people feel as well. Eye twitching has just recently started for me in the past few months. I find that every few months some new and weird side effect is felt in me.But then I tell myself I'm just being paranoid and never ask the doctor because they dont seem to care much here anyhow.

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15

I,too, get the left eye twitch and it's quite pronounced however I only take 25 mgs bid...a low dose for migraines...I used to be on 100 mgs. a day when I had a seizure under nitrous oxide sedation @ the dentist. Petite Mal right in the chair. The Topamax helped but this eye thing is driving me nuts!!

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16

I have been taking topamax for about 2 years 100mg and have twitch in one eye. Any ideas how to get rid of it?

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17

I have been taking topamax(generic topirmate(sp?)was fine til the increase in August since then I have had under both my eyes a steady twitching.I have mentioned it to the Dr. the last couple days I haven't had the meds. in me and the twitching has stopped the first time since Very begin of August (Ran out and need to get more I take them for Migraines and Simple partial seizures take 200 mg in the am and 200 mg at bedtime)So I def feel it is the meds but I do need the pills Because they have been helping to some extent on the migraines.but I still suffer daily headaches

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18

I have been taking Topamax for 10 years, 400mg a day generic or non. I have experienced different side effects over time most have faded or come and gone. The benefits out-way the minor annoyances mostly.....About 2 weeks ago my crazy doctor decided to not call in my script and I was out off pills for a week. ( she wanted me to try a new medicine, why when Topomax has been working for 10 years!) Finally saw another doctor who realized how dangerous that was and i am back on my medicine, but now my right eye won't stop twitching!!!!!! So aggravated!!!!!!

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19

I woke up today with both eyes twitching and was a little concerned, but now I feel much better knowing this may be the side effect of the medication. I have terrible headaches and this medications is working :) I hope the twitching goes away soon.

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20

Hey guys I take Topamax and I had a weird twitching in my cheek just below my eye and I read online that it could be a vitamin deficiency. Either in magnesium, or potassium and so I started eating bananas and taking Potassium Gluconate 550 mg and Calcium Magnesium Zinc combo made with D3 (vitamin D) (so basically it a has vitamin D in it also 200 i.u.'s of Vitamin D, Calcium is 333 mg's and Magnesium is 133 mg and Zinc is 5mg's all in one pill) and I started taking a Hair and Nail vitamin just a basic one by Spring Valley, the other two Potassium Gluconate and the Calcium Magnesium Zinc combo pill are both from Nature Made. Then I added something that sounds really weird and stupid, but its a Skin Renewal Age Defying formula vitamin that has pro collagen vitamin D and others in it, and it's made by Rejuvicare. I think the Kardashian's endorse it.....big whoop!!!! LOL Anyway my twitching stopped in three days!!!! I have to say I would swear by this at this point because my twitching had been going for 2 weeks straight NON STOP. Just like a heartbeat. Crazy!! Try it guys it certainly can't hurt!!!! If you try nothing else, I would try the Potassium and or Vitamin D first and in that order. Or eat bananas. Seriously!!

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114

Re: Nicole (# 11) Expand Referenced Message

If you are already having twitching and you are just starting the meds, you definitely need to tell the doctor because once you increase to the full dosage, the twitches will increase and the longer you are on the med, you will notice a further increase of the twitches as the medication becomes more integrated into your system.

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113

Topomax and eye twitching: Try getting off the 50mg pills. I found in other blogs there may be an issue with the coating on those pills with the manufacturer. I had been on 100mg Topiramate for years with no twitching. Was put on 50mg pills twice a day by a new doctor and starting eye twitching. Found the blogs regarding the coating and requested the 100mg tablets again. The twitching resolved after a few weeks with no reoccurrence. Hope that helps.

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112

Re: almostcured (# 1) Expand Referenced Message

I had the exact same thing happen to me and I was going crazy with it!! I still get it and when I do it can last for weeks at a time! My neurologist didn’t have an answer for me and I can’t make it stop. I’m afraid to stop my medication for fear of my migraines coming back full force so what do I do? Live with it I guess! This sucks!!

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111

Re: Angielina (# 110) Expand Referenced Message

I have been on Topamax for years well the generic version. I take 150 mg daily for migraines. Mixed with Topamax is Verapamil 180 mg for migraines. I have not had a migraine in years and I do not have any eye twitching from Topamax.

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110

I use Topamax for chronic migraines. So far with wonderful results other than my upper left eye twitches quite often though out the day and it has caused damage to my nerves in my eyes. I went to a specialist who said “everything looks good I see slight damage for your headaches as long as you aren’t taking Topamax you will be great.” Problem is I do take Topamax which he said might have caused the eye damage I take 25mg twice a day and still have these side effects

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109

I have been on Topamax for about 2 years and have experienced several side effects. They seem to come one at a time, last for a few weeks or months, then I get the next one. Whenever something odd starts happening, I look it up to see if it is a reported side effect. Currently I have twitching under my left eye. It has been going on for a few days. I do not have the constant nagging headache that I used to live with daily and although I do still have some headaches, it is nothing like what I dealt with before the Topamax. As much as I do not like the crazy and random side effects, I really like not having the constant pain.

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108

Yes, I have eye twitching on 100mg in one eye. When I went off it went away but I went back on and now almost have to go off again.

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107

Re: Sophia (# 106) Expand Referenced Message

Not if it is constantly twitching..that could be a very bad side effect.

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106

Re: Savannah (# 105) Expand Referenced Message

I am on 12.5mg only.
Could it be I need more days to adapt to it?

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105

Re: Sophia (# 104) Expand Referenced Message

If it is twitching non-stop, I would tell your Doctor. She/he may have you on too high of dose.

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