There is no cure for migraine headaches. The good news is that there are migraine medicines that can reduce the frequency of migraine. Studies show that about 40% of adults with migraine are candidates for preventive therapy, yet only about 12% of adults with migraine take migraine prevention medicine.

Topiramate is prescribed more than 2.5 times as much as any other migraine prevention medicine. Topiramate is classified as having level A evidence for use in migraine prevention based on its established safety and efficacy.

A relatively steady delivery of topiramate in your bloodstream over 24 hours is important. When the level of medicine in your body fluctuates because you missed a dose or took too much medicine, you may not have appropriate coverage during the high peaks and low drops. At these times, you may be at greater risk for migraine symptoms or topiramate side effects while you are going about your day.

Consider once-a-day Trokendi XR (topiramate) if you are taking twice-a-day Topamax (topiramate). Both medicines offer the same daily dose of topiramate, but . . .

days are busy … I’d like to try to minimize my ups and downs

story is about switching to once-a-day Trokendi XR (topiramate) and how it works for me

Betsy suffered from migraine headache for 20 years before she found a migraine prevention medicine that worked for her

Laurie was angry and disappointed that she was missing out on life because of migraine headache

Jamie hated it when a migraine headache took her away from her young daughter

Meet Jamie, Laurie and Betsy. They each have a story to tell about their migraine headache treatment journey and experience with Trokendi XR (topiramate).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not take Trokendi XR if you have recently consumed or plan to consume alcohol (i.e., within 6 hours prior to and 6 hours after Trokendi XR use)

Swallow Trokendi XR capsules whole. Do not sprinkle on food, chew, or crush.

What are the possible side effects of Trokendi XR?

Trokendi XR can cause serious side effects, including: Eye problems. Serious eye problems include sudden decrease in vision with or without eye pain or redness, a blockage of fluid that may cause increased pressure in the eye (secondary angle closure glaucoma). Call your healthcare provider right away if you have new eye symptoms, including any new problems with your vision.

Decreased sweating and increased body temperature (fever). People, especially children, should be watched for signs of decreased sweating and fever, especially in hot temperatures. Some people may need to be hospitalized for this condition.

Increased levels of acid in the blood (metabolic acidosis). If left untreated, metabolic acidosis can cause brittle or soft bones (osteoporosis, osteomalacia, osteopenia), kidney stones, can slow the rate of growth in children, and may possibly harm the unborn child of pregnant patients.

High levels of ammonia in the blood. High ammonia in the blood can affect mental activities, slow alertness, cause tiredness, or cause vomiting. Blood ammonia levels have been shown to rise when Trokendi XR is taken with a medicine called valproic acid (e.g., DEPAKENE® and DEPAKOTE®).

Kidney stones. Drink plenty of fluids when taking Trokendi XR to decrease your chances of getting kidney stones.

Low body temperature. Taking Trokendi XR when you are also taking valproic acid may cause a drop in body temperature to less than 95°F, tiredness, confusion, or coma.

Effects on thinking and alertness. Trokendi XR may affect how you think, and can cause confusion and problems with concentration, attention, memory, or speech. Trokendi XR may cause depression or mood problems, tiredness, and sleepiness.

Dizziness or loss of muscle coordination.

The most common side effects include tingling of the arms and legs (paresthesia), not feeling hungry, nausea, weight loss, abnormal vision, a change in the way foods taste, nervousness, speech problems, dizziness, slow reactions, upper respiratory tract infection, sleepiness, diarrhea, pain in abdomen and difficulty with memory. These are not all the possible side effects of Trokendi XR. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Like other antiepileptic drugs, Trokendi XR may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500. Before you take Trokendi XR, tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had depression, mood problems, or suicidal thoughts or behavior. Call a healthcare provider right away if you have thoughts about suicide or dying; have attempted to commit suicide; have new or worsening depression or anxiety; feel agitated or restless; experience panic attacks, trouble sleeping (insomnia), or new or worsening irritability; feel or act more aggressive, angry, or violent; act on dangerous impulses; have an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania); or experience other unusual changes in behavior or mood.

Before taking Trokendi XR, tell your healthcare provider about any other medical conditions, including if you have kidney problems, kidney stones, or are getting kidney dialysis; have a history of metabolic acidosis (too much acid in the blood); have liver problems; have weak, brittle or soft bones (osteomalacia, osteoporosis, osteopenia, or decreased bone density); have lung or breathing problems; have eye problems, especially glaucoma; have diarrhea; have a growth problem; are on a diet high in fat and low in carbohydrates, which is called a ketogenic diet; are having surgery; are pregnant or plan to become pregnant; or if you are breastfeeding. Trokendi XR passes into your breast milk. Breastfed babies may be sleepy or have diarrhea. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you take Trokendi XR.

Trokendi XR can harm your unborn baby. If you take Trokendi XR during pregnancy, your baby has a higher risk for the birth defects of cleft lip, cleft palate, and being smaller than expected at birth. These defects can begin early in pregnancy, even before you know you are pregnant. The long term effects of this are unknown.

Tell your healthcare provider about any other medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Trokendi XR and other medicines may affect each other, causing side effects. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take valproic acid (e.g., DEPAKENE or DEPAKOTE); any medicines that impair or decrease your thinking, concentration, or muscle coordination; or birth control pills. Trokendi XR may make your birth control pills less effective.

Do not stop Trokendi XR without first talking to a healthcare provider. If you have epilepsy and you stop taking Trokendi XR suddenly, you may have seizures that do not stop. Your healthcare provider will tell you how to stop taking Trokendi XR slowly.

Do not drive a car or operate heavy machinery until you know how Trokendi XR affects you. Trokendi XR can slow your thinking and motor skills, and may affect vision.

INDICATION Trokendi XR® (topiramate) extended-release capsules are used to prevent migraine headaches in adults and adolescents 12 years and older.

Please refer to the full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for additional important information on Trokendi XR.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.