Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using Topamax as follows:
Vision changes
- Topamax use can result in obstruction to the drainage of fluid (aqueous humor) in the eye, increase in the intraocular pressure, and leading to glaucoma. Individuals can present with eye pain, headache, and blurred vision with haloes around light.
- Visual defect with Topamax use can progress rapidly to vision loss and permanent blindness.
Metabolic side-effects
- Topamax use can result in increased loss of the basic ion, bicarbonate, from the body, thus tipping the balance towards elevated acid in the blood, resulting in a state of metabolic acidosis. Individuals with metabolic acidosis can present with symptoms of nausea and vomiting, rapid irregular heartbeat, palpitations, chest pain, rapid rate of breathing, and uncontrolled seizures.
- Topamax use can also result in elevated levels of ammonia in the blood. Individuals can present with symptoms of nausea and vomiting, poor appetite, lethargy, irritability, seizures, loss of consciousness, and coma, secondary to the elevated ammonia in the blood.
