Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking topiramate as follows:
- Take the medication dose at the same time, every day, to avoid forgetting the intake of medication. Taking the medication at regularly spaced intervals help maintain appropriate blood levels of topiramate needed for control of seizures.
- Topiramate use can result in common general constitutional symptoms such as, nausea and vomiting. Taking dose of topiramate with a glass of water, after having some food or a snack can help avoid having unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms with the medication. Liberal intake of fluid, atleast 8-10 glasses a day, during topiramate intake, can contribute significantly to prevent development of toxic side-effects and complications due to the medication.
- Topiramate use can result in common general constitutional symptoms such as, nausea and vomiting. Elevated blood ammonia levels secondary to topiramate use can also result in severely altered sense of taste and consequently, lead to reduced appetite. Taking topiramate after having a meal or a snack can help avoid having unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms with the medication.
- If you miss a dose, try taking it at the earliest notice of noncompliance. If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the dose scheduled. Do not take an extra dose to try making up for the missed dose. Notify your doctor and other health care personnel regarding your dose noncompliance.
