Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using Topamax as follows: Cardiovascular side-effects Topamax use carries the risk of causing hypotension with compensatory increased heart rate. Hypotension, secondary to Topamax intake, can lead to episodes of confusion and dizziness, thus increasing the risk for fall and accidents. Topamax use also carries the risk of causing and/or aggravating cardiac arrhythmias, leading to severe debility and death. Individuals can present with episodes of chest pain, rapid heart [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using Topamax as follows: Gastrointestinal side-effects Topamax use can result in common general constitutional symptoms such as, nausea and vomiting. Elevated blood ammonia levels secondary to Topamax use can also result in severely altered sense of taste and consequently, lead to reduced appetite. Taking Topamax after having a meal or a snack can help avoid having unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms with the medication. Topamax can also induce extreme dry [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on how to take Topamax as follows: Take this medication as ordered by your physician. Do not change the dose and frequency on this medication without consulting your doctor. Take the medication dose for the duration prescribed without fail. 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 Topamax needed for [...]

Patient/caregiver was instructed upon therapeutic uses and mechanism of action of Topamax as follows: Nerve impulses in the brain are transmitted from one cell to the other as mild electrical impulses. Many factors such as, neurotransmitters in the brain, sodium and glucose concentrations in the blood, bacterial infections, blood and oxygen supply to the brain, and mechanical injury to the brain play a significant role in influencing these nerve impulses in the brain. Some of [...]

Patient/caregiver was instructed upon the reasons for seizure development as follows: Reduced oxygen supply to the brain can result in altered electrical discharge in the brain, contributing to seizure activity. Bacterial infections involving the brain and spinal cord, such as, meningitis, can result in edema of brain and elevation of intracranial pressure, contributing to development of seizures. Both very high and too low levels of sodium in the blood can alter the electrical discharge in [...]