Warning against Using Seizure Medication for Weight Loss

The Doctors discuss the possible dangers of using a medication usually prescribed for migraines and seizures with Aracely, who says she suffered severe side effects while taking the medication.

About The Doctors:

The Doctors is an Emmy award-winning daytime talk show hosted by ER physician Dr. Travis Stork, plastic surgeon Dr. Andrew Ordon and OB-GYN Dr. Nita Landry.

The Doctors helps you understand the latest health headlines, such as the ice bucket challenge for ALS and the Ebola outbreak; delivers exclusive interviews with celebrities dealing with health issues, such as Lamar Odom, Teen Mom star Farrah Abraham, reality stars Honey Boo Boo and Mama June, and activist Chaz Bono; brings you debates about health and safety claims from agricultural company Monsanto and celebrities such as Jenny McCarthy; and shows you the latest gross viral videos and explains how you can avoid an emergency situation. The Doctors also features the News in 2:00 digest of the latest celebrity health news and The Doctors’ Prescription for simple steps to get active, combat stress, eat better and live healthier.

Now in its eighth season, The Doctors celebrity guests have included Academy Award Winners Sally Field, Barbra Streisand, Jane Fonda, Marcia Gay Harden, Kathy Bates and Marisa Tomei; reality stars from Teen Mom and The Real Housewives, as well as Kris Jenner, Caitlyn Jenner, Melissa Rivers, Sharon Osbourne, Tim Gunn and Amber Rose; actors Jessica Alba, Christina Applegate, Julie Bowen, Patricia Heaton, Chevy Chase, Kristin Davis, Lou Ferrigno, Harrison Ford, Grace Gealey, Cedric the Entertainer, Valerie Harper, Debra Messing, Chris O’Donnell, Betty White, Linda Gray, Fran Drescher, Emmy Rossum, Roseanne Barr, Valerie Bertinelli, Suzanne Somers; athletes Magic Johnson, Apolo Ohno and Danica Patrick; musicians Tim McGraw, Justin Bieber, Clint Black, LL Cool J, Nick Carter, Kristin Chenoweth, Paula Abdul, Gloria Gaynor, La Toya Jackson, Barry Manilow, Bret Michaels, Gene Simmons and Jordin Sparks; and celebrity chefs Wolfgang Puck, Guy Fieri and Curtis Stone.

[moonfairy]

why is a dermatologist giving info on this med? shouldn't an endocrinologist or bariatric surgeon be a better source?

[mascara]

I'm on topamax and have no symptoms at all. It stops any urges to eat impulsively. It's a God send.

[GodisMyBestieMrs.]

I've been on Topiramate since 2015. The pass 7 years I had any side effects. I take it for my chronic migraine. It does help me control my appetite as well. I had a co worker who started it and the first day, she came to work on her off day, she was confused, slurred speech. She didn't know where she was at. We work in the hospital and I seen her in the a critical unit, they thought she was having a stroke. They told her to stop taking it. It definitely affects everyone different.

[flexfasting]

Topamax is working for me 🤷🏻‍♂️ helping with my impulse control issues that ultimately led to binges aka weight issues my whole life. I can finally buy a tub of ice cream and make it last two months in the freezer. And god forbid this lady suffers from having to drink copious amounts of water. I have a feeling her symptoms were related to her already established issues. What a load of crock.

[ohmeowzer]

Been on it for 6 months no side effects...helped my headaches immensely

[clintparsons]

“Abdominal pain, nausea”
“I couldn’t eat.”
“All I could drink was water.”
“I lost 7 pounds in two weeks.”
Well, that’s sort of the point, Aracely. Sounds to me like it was working perfectly.

[holymolyitscoley]

I took topamax for migraines and seizures and I lose 12 pounds in a week. It made food unappealing and any carbonated drinks taste awful.

[Deetrim]

I’ve had 0 symptoms started taking it for depression and it’s been amazing. No weight loss for me

[southsydesasha]

Lol she’s complaining she only drank water?😂😂😂
Its cottonmouth common side effects from meds!!!& shes trying to lose weight!?

[summerdais]

It's also known as "dope-a-max" because of a common side effect of feeling dopey/mind-clouded, fatigued and otherwise off.

[joer]

I'm epileptic and I have to ask, why on earth would anyone willingly take AED's for any reason other than if they have no other choice. They practically had to force me to take them because of the side effects. Offering medications like that without telling people about the side effects is irresponsible. Intense doesn't even begin to describe the side effects. I threw up so much from one medication I wanted to die because it was better than living like that. I went back and told my neurologist that I refused to ever take it again despite the fact that I was back to having seizures again. I'm fine now but I wouldn't' wish what I went through on anyone. Vomiting, Constipation, Diarrhoea, severe and constant vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, depression, anxiety, mood swings, muscle pain, and many others.

[justmorenoise]

They gave it to me to stop addiction cravings and it works .. yes I got an upset tummy and I have to drink water but I’m no longer a danger to myself so I guess it’s worth the tingling hands, sleepiness and weight loss

[angelfortruth]

I’m on day 21 with seizure taking now 200mg a day. They side effects are horrid. But it’s better then my heart stopping or having permanent brain damage from 10 seizures a week or more. They said after 6 weeks the effects are supposed to get better. Praying to God they do. They prescribed me Ondatron for the stomach issues…almost feels like your taking chemo on it.

[MJ-ozwo]

I was prescribed this medication for intracranial hypertension. 6 weeks I called my doctor in a panic because I couldn’t remember anything. My brain was in a fog constantly. My ability to concentrate was gone and it was affecting my job. He lowered the dose. It only got worse. Finally I went back to the doctor and saw another neurologist who told me to stop taking it immediately. I wasn’t weened off of it, like I hear many people saying. It’s been about 6 months and it has only gotten worse. A psychologist diagnosed me with ADHD-ADD type and generalized anxiety disorder. None of these things I use to have. For the first time I’m unable to control my mood (angry outbursts) and actually had a thought of suicide. Which scared me and so I will be going back to the doctors to see if I can get more help. Yes I loss weight on the drug. Had constant energy. No appetite. But it’s a very serious drug to take ( especially just for weight loss) so please take with caution and do your research. This is my personal experience.

[janadavirgil]

I wish I was on this show I took this drug for my migraine headaches. 50mg, 100mg Yes I did lose a lot of weight on this drug. I lost like 50 pounds and I was loving in. HOWEVER, the sides affects I had from taking Topiramate, was I seen like spots in my vision, it looked like spots of light, this drug gave as slurred speech when I talked to people. I stopped taking this medicine when I lost Control of my swallow glance at night and I would choke on my saliva in my sleep. The sleep saliva choking is what only Side effect that scared me away from taking this drug. 🌻

[talia]

Peeing and negativity.. I’m willing to keep going

[Rasminda_Alariat]

The only side effect I have for this medication is that all carbonation is gross to me. Which is fine because I wanted to stop drinking soda anyway (I drink one every once in awhile). But it does help with my migraines. I haven't lost any weight. Which is too bad. I could use some weight loss

[OzayMora]

I’m taking topiramate. So far my side affects are change of vision but what is weird is my vision got better from what my optometrist told me. Definitely nauseous, a lot of thirst. But not much weight difference

[annetteslife]

Topamax only works if you eat healthy and exercise. It also doesn't work for everyone. If your doctor pushes you to be prescribed this get a second and a third or fourth opinion. Some of these side effects can be permanent

[katrinarosenberger]

I’m on Topamax for migraines and epilepsy.. and dr also explained all the side effects like weight loss. Dizziness, drowsiness... I’ve experienced extreme tiredness and numbness in my hands and feet a few times but that’s about it. But I follow up in 3 months.