Question 1

How can I lower the cost of my topiramate

Accepted Answer

You can lower cost of your topiramate using one of the 4 following drug savings programs: Rx Advantage Card for topiramate, Canadian Prescription Savings for topiramate, topiramate Drug Coupons, topiramate Patient Assistance Programs

Question 2

What dosages is topiramate available in?

Accepted Answer

topiramate is available as a 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg oral tablet and a 15 mg and 30 mg oral capsule.

Question 3

What is topiramate used for?

Accepted Answer

topiramate is an antiepitleptic that is used for:  Seizures (partial seizures, tonic-clonic seiures, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome) Migraine prevention

Question 4

How does topiramate work?

Accepted Answer

topiramate is an antiepileptic. It’s not exactly clear how this medication works to prevent migraines. But in order to control seizures, topiramate blocks your brain from sending certain signals or chemicals that can overly excite your nerves. This helps to reduce the bursts of activity in your brain, which prevents seizures.

Question 5

How do I take topiramate?

Accepted Answer

topiramate initial dose, titration, and recommended maintenance dose varies by indication and age group. See Full Prescribing Information for recommended dosage, and dosing considerations in patients with renal impairment, geriatric patients, and patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Question 6

Is it safe for me to take topiramate?

Accepted Answer

topiramate is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you.

Question 7

topiramate Common Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Common side effects of topiramate:  Feeling “pins and needles” Drowsiness Weight loss Nervousness Fatigue Dizziness Lack of appetite Trouble sleeping Upper respiratory tract infection (e.g., cough, stuffy nose, sore throat) Fever Change in taste Trouble moving or keeping balance

Question 8

topiramate Serious Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Serious side effects are rare with topiramate. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
Seizures (from withdrawal)
Vision problems: blurred vision, loss of vision, double vision, blind spots
Serious bleeds: bleeding that’s difficult to stop, vomiting blood, blood in the urine or stool, “coffee-ground” stool
Severe skin reactions: rash, skin pain or peeling, blisters, fever, sore throat, extreme tiredness, swelling of the face, swollen lips
Extreme drop in body temperature: shivering, feeling tired, feeling confused, slurred speech, coma
Dangerously high body temperature: fever, headache, dizziness, feeling confused, nausea, vomiting muscle cramps, skin that’s very warm or hot to the touch
Dangerously high blood acid levels: feeling very tired, breathing very fast, poor appetite, irregular heartbeat, trouble thinking clearly, sharp pain near the side and back from kidney stones
Extremely high blood ammonia levels: fatigue, poor mental alertness, vomiting

Question 9

Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on topiramate

Accepted Answer

The following medications may interact with topiramate:  Contraceptives: decreased contraceptive efficacy and increased breakthrough bleeding, especially at doses greater than 200 mg/day Monitor lithium levels if lithium is used with high-dose topiramate

Question 10

Who makes topiramate?

Accepted Answer

Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers

Question 11

Is topiramate safe in pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

topiramate use during pregnancy can cause major congenital
malformations, including but not limited to cleft lip and/or palate, and being small for gestational age. topiramate should be used during pregnancy only if the potential
benefit outweighs the potential risk.

Question 12

What is the brand name for topiramate?

Accepted Answer

TOPAMAX

Question 13

How can NowPatient help me to lower the cost of my topiramate prescription?

Accepted Answer

After you create a FREE account with NowPatient, you will have access to 4 programs that can help lower the cost of your topiramate prescription

Applicability to each program will be dependent on your insurance status.

Question 14

How do the NowPatient topiramate savings programs work?

Accepted Answer

After you have created your FREE account with NowPatient, you can access the various programs from your account dashboard. Each program has clear instructions on how to check your eligibility. You can see how the process works by clicking on the feature link below and seeing the ‘How it works’ steps.

Drug Coupon and Patient Assistance Programs require an eligibility quiz to be completed.

Question 15

Are the NowPatient topiramate savings programs suitable for everyone, regardless of insurance status?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has its own eligibility and applicability requirements. The table below shows if a program is available to you, based on your insurance status.

	Rx Advantage Card* for topiramate	Canadian Prescription Savings* for topiramate	topiramate Drug Coupon*	topiramate Patient Assistance Program*
Insured (federal, state or government)	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured (Commercial or Private)	Available	Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Uninsured	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured but without pharmacy benefit or drug coverage	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company

*This is not insurance.

Question 16

Are the NowPatient drug savings programs suitable for brand and generic versions of topiramate?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has applicability requirements. Please see below

	Rx Advantage Card* for topiramate	Canadian Prescription Savings* for topiramate	topiramate Drug Coupon*	topiramate Patient Assistance Program*
Brand	Yes	Yes	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Generic	Yes	Yes	No	No

*This is not insurance.

Question 17

If you have Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage and none of the topiramate savings options are applicable or affordable for me, what can you do?

Accepted Answer

If you are insured with Medicare and the topiramate drug savings options are not applicable to you and still remain unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and after you have selected your state, it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are called ‘dual eligibles’.

If you are denied Medicaid for topiramate, and you are still unable to afford your copay or co-insurance element (for example if you are in the coverage gap or Donut Hole) then you may be eligible for a federal support program like Low Income Subsidy. To be eligible for Low Income Subsidy, you need to be a resident in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. You can check eligibility online at SSA Medicare D Extra Help. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Question 18

I am uninsured or underinsured and none of the topiramate prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If you are uninsured or underinsured (for example, topiramate is not covered by your plan) and the drug savings options are not applicable or still unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

If you are denied and all else fails, and if you have been prescribed topiramate for an FDA-approved indication, you can call the pharmaceutical company to see if they have any other assistance programs.

Question 19

I am commercially or privately insured and none of the topiramate prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If your medication is not covered by your plan, you can appeal your insurance company’s decision. Sometimes, a formal appeal can result in the drug being covered if it is deemed medically necessary.

If you cannot afford your copay contribution, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

However, being privately insured might complicate your eligibility for Medicaid, as having private insurance may be considered in the financial eligibility assessment.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. If you qualify, state Medicaid may cover the full cost of your medication.

Question 20

If I have federal, state or commercial insurance and none of the topiramate prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, are there any other support organisations that can help me with my co-insurance or copay contributions?

Accepted Answer

If you have already tried Medicaid and received a denial letter or if you are insured with Medicare and have been denied Low-Income Subsidy, then you can try one of the following organizational support programs:

1. Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN) assistance for topiramate

If you are having trouble paying for your topiramate medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN), may be able to assist you. To qualify for PAN assistance for topiramate you will need to meet one or all of the following criteria:

Your income is below 400% of the federal poverty level
topiramate is prescribed for an approved FDA indication
You live in and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. territories, even if you do not have U.S. citizenship
You have Medicare insurance coverage that covers topiramate
If topiramate is listed on PAN’s list of covered medications

You can check the Patient Access Network Foundation Website for more information.

2. HealthWell Foundation Copay Program for topiramate

If you are having trouble paying for your topiramate medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the HealthWell Foundation Copay Program may be able to assist you. To qualify for assistance for topiramate you will need to meet the following criteria:

You live in and are being treated in the United States
You are insured and your plan covers topiramate
If topiramate is listed on the HealthWell Foundation’s list of covered medications

You can check the HealthWell Foundation Website for more information.

3. Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program for topiramate

Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief program exists to help reduce the financial distress you or your family may face when paying for your topiramate treatment. If you qualify and can demonstrate the need, the foundation will provide you with direct payment covering co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. To qualify for assistance for topiramate you will need to meet the following criteria:

You must be currently insured and have coverage for topiramate
You must have a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan
You must reside and receive treatment in the United States
Your Income must fall at or below 300% or 400% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG) with consideration for the Cost of Living Index (COLI) and number in the household
Applications can also be completed by contacting the program sponsor, toll-free at 866-512-3861.

You can check the Patient Advocate Foundation Website for more information.