Impotence as a side effect of Topamax (Men's Issues)

[forward2007]

Have any guys here had impotence as a side effect as a result of taking Topamax? When I went from 50 mg of Topamax twice a day to 200 mg of Topamax twice a day things literally didn't quite work the same! I read online they say only 1% of the Men taking Topamax for Epilepsy have this side effect but I know what else it would be. The not so fun part is I found out when I was with my now ex girlfriend.

[brain]

You may want to call your Doctor about this, I checked
your profile for the other meds that you are on and I
found out this:

Drug Interactions

Drug Interaction Results

Drug interaction results for the following 3 drug(s):

Keppra (levetiracetam)
Tegretol XR (carbamazepine)
Topamax (topiramate)

Interactions between your selected drugs

Moderate Drug-Drug Interaction Tegretol XR (carbamazepine) and Topamax (topiramate) (Moderate Drug-Drug)

ADJUST DOSE: Carbamazepine, when coadministered with topiramate may lead to a 40% decrease in the plasma concentration of topiramate. The mechanism of action appears to be due to increased metabolism of topiramate.

MANAGEMENT: If dosages of topiramate have been adjusted up, reduction or withdrawal of carbamazepine during adjunctive therapy may require a downward dose adjustment of topiramate. No adjustment in carbamazepine dosage is required when topiramate adjunctive therapy is started. Patients should be monitored for seizure control and should be advised to notify their physician if seizure control worsens.

Moderate Drug-Drug Interaction Tegretol XR (carbamazepine) and Keppra (levetiracetam) (Moderate Drug-Drug)

MONITOR: Central nervous system- and/or respiratory-depressant effects may be additively or synergistically increased in patients taking multiple drugs that cause these effects, especially in elderly or debilitated patients.

MANAGEMENT: During concomitant use of these drugs, patients should be monitored for potentially excessive or prolonged CNS and respiratory depression. Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

Other drugs that your selected drugs interact with

• There are 715 other drugs known to interact with Keppra (levetiracetam)

• There are 2270 other drugs known to interact with Tegretol XR (carbamazepine)

• There are 841 other drugs known to interact with Topamax (topiramate)
Interactions between your selected drugs and food

Moderate Drug-Food Interaction Tegretol XR (carbamazepine) (Moderate Drug-Food)

GENERALLY AVOID: In a small, randomized, crossover study, the administration of carbamazepine with grapefruit juice (compared to water) increased plasma drug concentrations by approximately 40%. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits.

MANAGEMENT: Given the drug's narrow therapeutic index, patients receiving carbamazepine therapy should preferably avoid the regular consumption of grapefruits and grapefruit juice to prevent any undue fluctuations in plasma drug levels. Patients should be advised to report signs of carbamazepine toxicity (nausea, visual disturbances, dizziness, or ataxia) to their physicians.

[forward2007]

Oops-I forgot to remove the Keppra from my Profile as I am no longer taking it. Thanks for the Drug interaction info Brain.

[RanMan]

Forward,

I have the same side effect from long term use of dilantin, had it since 1998.
Thank goodness my kids were already born.

Randy

[Abynorml]

I was on 100mg of topamax a day, and experienced ED, the doctor didn't believe me, however I am now off the Topamax and everything now works wonderfully and I have an increased libido, and feel sharper cognitively

[forward2007]

I am just starting on Lamictal now and in four weeks I will start to ween off of Topamax. I can't wait.

[TexasTravel]

I am not sure if you would call it impotence or lack of desire for me. Before being loaded up on medicines, I had the desire of a teenager. Now, desire is basically a dream.

[forward2007]

Now that I'm not taking the Topamax anymore, the ED is gone. It would have been nice if the Dr. had told me ED was a possible side effect of taking Topamax.

[BuckeyeFan]

Good Luck with the Lamictal. It has been working for me, with few side effects, especially not ED.

[forward2007]

Something I just found about possible side effects of TEGRETOL:

Apparently it can affect both Testosterone levels and Thyroid levels.


Carbamazepine has been associated with lower serum testosterone and lower free androgen indexes.

One study has suggested that carbamazepine may decrease serum levels of T4, FT4, and T3. In that study, TSH concentrations were not significantly altered. Additionally, carbamazepine may exert adverse effects on serum lipids.

[forward2007]

For what it's worth, I am now pretty sure that the ED came from the Sleep Apnea that has developed over the last year.

On a different note, I am Soooo glad I got the %$#! off of Topamax. I agree with other forum members that Topamax is an evil drug. (Depression, no sex drive, numbing of your personality, suicidal thoughts, memory problems. That is not exactly a short list of side effects. I am much happier with Lamictal.