bad results with generic topomax

[MaryCat]

Hi,
My husband and I started with topomax back in early Feb and got immediate results. We were accustomed to drinking a a big bottle of wine a night and felt it was a problem. With the topomax we could start to feel satisfied with a one or two glasses. We did have issues on the higher doses (100mg). Especially for him, as he felt some anxiety and depression. I'm not sure if it was the topomax or him that caused my anxiety and depression. In addititon, I felt pretty fatigued and it really hurt my artistic abilities...but that could have been other things as well. At any rate, we started titrating back down and that seemed to help. We ordered more online and since it did not come as fast as the previous time, we ended up going off completely for a week and felt great but the drinking began to increase again. Now back up to 50mg, the difference is that it is generic Toporol instead of Topomax and it doesn't seem to have the same anti craving effect at all. Has anyone else had this experience? Should I send it back for the real stuff? I hate going on and off as I am sure that is not good. I would appreciate any feedback at all. I got it from riverpharmacy we are both 50 and around 150 lbs. Thanks.

[magic]

Hi Mary....

I don't specifically know about the Topamax but I do know that some generic anti depressants don't work as well as the real thing.

Having said that, however, I am not an advocate of ordering drugs online. Anyone can put anything into a blister pack and call it what ever they wish.

I would strongly suggest you and your husband see your physician for Topamax.

My best to you both,

magic xx

PS: has the scary dog eaten your cat?

[MDC]

Mary,
I am new to this recovery / moderation program and got perscription topomax from my MD. He gave me 25 mg tablets and said to take them once a day. Im on day three and not feeling any real effect. do you or anyone else know what dose I should be on for best results? You mentioned 100mgs. I also still waiting for my suplaments.

[Cinders]

MDC,

I cannot take topa due to allergic reaction. However, titrate up the way your doctor recommends. It is not a drug to be taken lightly.

Different people seem to have different dosages that work for them. Some find relief at 50 mg and others go much higher.

Good luck!!!!

Cindi,
XXI

[MDC]

Thanks Cindi

[Its a miracle]

I started with Topamax in early February from a offshore generic source - https://www.medstore.biz and have gotten good results. I titrated up to the 100mg per day (where I am at now). Most pronounced side effects have been the mental slowness (offset by the use of 600 mg of Adrafinil daily) and mild depression. I suspect that the drinking may have been masking the depression so I do not blame the Topamax 100%. Topamax has taken away the automatic desire to stop for alcohol every night and has been a total success in that respect.

One difference from others has been the ability to drink on the drug. Initially I thought that Topamax would allow me to drink a couple and be satisfied and to a point it does – but not always. I found that sometimes even with the Topamax it was – once the alcohol was in my system – binge time again.

For me the real power of the drug is to keep my hands from around the bottle in the first place. The drug is helping save my marriage and probably my life. What ever the side effects I still think – on balance - for me its been a winner as long as I let it keep the alchohol out of my hands.

[Bambi]

Hi, I only have a few minutes...picking up kids. But have ordered from River in the past and got the original and recently got the other....I did also go down and back up, blah, blah, blah..... I have since learned, other's can chime in, that topa is like an anti depressant that it doesn't always work the same as before if you go off and back on.


Best of luck to you....I am in the same boat!
hugs, Bambi

[MaryCat]

Thanks for the responses. I have a call in to the River Pharmacy Pharmacist about the situation. I will let you know what he/she has to say about the generic vs true topomax (although there would be some bias likely).
One thing is that I was also taking Kudzu the first time around and was not taking it with the generic stuff. It is just that I was doing so well with it before and it is kind of a disappointment to find myself back to square one. I didn't know that if you go off an go back on that the effectiveness can be compromised.
Best wishes to you.