Topamax vs. Propranolol

Topamax (topiramate) and propranolol are used to prevent migraine headaches.

Topamax is also used to prevent epileptic seizures.

Propranolol is also used to treat tremors, angina (chest pain), hypertension (high blood pressure), heart rhythm disorders, and other heart or circulatory conditions.

Topamax and propranolol belong to different drug classes. Topamax is an anticonvulsant and propranolol is a beta-blocker.

Common side effects of Topamax include:

• drowsiness,
• dry mouth,
• dizziness,
• blurred vision,
• constipation,
• weight gain,
• trouble urinating,
• headache,
• increased hunger, and
• changes in taste.

Common side effects of Propranolol include:

• low blood pressure,
• congestive heart failure,
• slow heart rate,
• heart block,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• shortness of breath,
• insomnia,
• fatigue,
• short-term memory loss,
• diarrhea, and
• constipation

Topamax (topiramate) is an anticonvulsant prescribed for preventing epileptic seizures and migraine headaches. Topamax is available as a generic drug.

Propranolol hydrochloride injection is a synthetic beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agent (beta-blocker) used to treat life-threatening arrhythmias or those occurring under anesthesia.

Topamax may interact with other medicines that can make you sleepy (cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for depression or anxiety), other seizure medications, lithium, hydrochlorothiazide, metformin, atropine, belladonna, benztropine, dimenhydrinate, methscopolamine, scopolamine, bronchodilators, bladder or urinary medications, or glaucoma medications.

Propranolol may interact with clonidine, digitalis, dobutamine, haloperidol, isoproterenol, blood thinners, antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), doxazosin, prazosin, terazosin, heart medications, amiodarone, propafenone, quinidine, or ACE inhibitors.

Topamax usual adult dose is 200mg twice a day. Drug interactions include acetazolamide (Diamox), methazolamide (Neptazane), dichlorphenamide (Daranide), carbamazepine (Tegretol) and phenytoin (Dilantin) and oral contraceptives. There are no adequate studies of Topamax in pregnant women and it is not known if Topamax is secreted in human breast milk. Use during pregnancy is not recommended unless the potential benefit outweighs the potential unknown risk to the fetus. Topamax passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Propranolol is available in strengths of 10, 20, 40, 60, and 80 mg tablets for oral administration. Doses are variable; tablets should be swallowed not chewed.