Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking topiramate as follows: Topiramate, by increasing loss of bicarbonate ions from the body, can result in excess of acid ions in the body, which consequently can lead to a dangerous acidotic condition called metabolic acidosis. Individuals can present with rapid heart rate and fast breathing patterns, to compensate for the acidosis. Patients can also present with episodes of confusion and extreme tiredness. Upon presentation with [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking topiramate as follows: Topiramate can also induce extreme dry mouth and diarrhea. Sucking on a sugar free hard candy can help with symptomatic relief of dry mouth. Proper hydration measures and compliance with daily fluid intake recommendations can help with fluid supplementation in individuals with diarrhea. Observing compliance with fluid intake recommendations can also help with preventing episodes of hypotension, secondary to fluid loss. These [...]

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 [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using topiramate as follows: Metabolic acidosis induced by topiramate intake can result in increased bone dissolution and loss of calcium and phosphate minerals from the bone, resulting in demineralization of bone. This can lead to weakened skeletal framework, osteoporosis, and fractures with slightest injury. Individuals with history of osteoporosis are at increased risk for skeletal injury and fractures with topiramate use. So, topiramate is better avoided or used with [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using topiramate as follows: Diabetic patients, especially individuals with poorly controlled grossly elevated blood sugars, can develop ketosis, secondary to increased fat metabolism. In these individuals, secondary to lack of insulin, glucose could not be transported into the cells and so, is not available for metabolism and cellular needs. The cells depend on fat, as an alternate fuel, to meet the metabolic demand. Consequently, the cells produce ketone bodies, [...]