Migraine

Hi! After reading, I began to realize that the topa has a life of 21 hours? I did not know that. I am currently on 100mg at night. After reading all that, I'm thinking I should take 50mg and night then 50mg in the morning. Would that be a good move on my part? All the other times I've taken topa, its always been in one full dose. I take it for migraines and daily headaches. Thanks for your help, this board has been the most informative that I've found.

Java

When I was on it I was on a 2x a day dose. I would call up your pharmacist, the nurse's help line your insurance might have, and your doc(s) (sometimes a GP has ideas the specialists don't and vice versa) and see what all of them say and then find which way your research leans.

Hi Java, it's important to note that Topamax has a half-life of 21 hours, which means the time required for the activity of a substance taken into the body to lose one-half its initial effectiveness.

That said, many doctors do recommend splitting the dosage of Topamax to keep the amount of the drug more even throughout the day. Generally the two doses are taken about 12 hours apart.

However, please do not change your dosing without first speaking to your doctor. He or she may have a reason for having you take it only once a day. Topamax is a powerful drug, and you don't want to make any sort of drastic changes without consulting your doctor. A number of our members here take Topamax only once a day (including me), so you are not alone in that.

None of us are qualified to be able to tell you if this would be a good move on your part. That's totally up to your prescribing doctor and you to determine together, based on your own unique medical profile, history, and needs. You need to call him or her and ask. whatever you do, don't make any switches in dosing until you get the okay. I've never taken Topamax, but I think it generally is taken split dosage.

quote:

Originally posted by Javabean:
Hi! After reading, I began to realize that the topa has a life of 21 hours? I did not know that. I am currently on 100mg at night. After reading all that, I'm thinking I should take 50mg and night then 50mg in the morning. Would that be a good move on my part? All the other times I've taken topa, its always been in one full dose. I take it for migraines and daily headaches. Thanks for your help, this board has been the most informative that I've found.

Java

Hi, Javabean, I don't think I've gotten to say hello to you yet. Welcome to the forum! We're glad you found us. I'm glad you are jumping right in and asking your questions, that's the way to do it.

Here's some info about Topamax:

TOPAMAX Oral

And an article about Topamax dosing:

Dosage and Tapering Topamax for Migraine Prevention

Remember to discuss dosage with your own doctor, though. Dr. Silberstein is a fine migraine specialist, but he would never recommend a dosage for a specific patient he didn't know.

Thank you for your advice! When I go to the doc next I will be sure to ask her about it. Thanks again.

JAVA