Topiramate, nutrition and weight change: a prospective study.

Abstract

To evaluate prospectively the relationship between appetite, food composition, nutritional habits and weight loss following administration of topiramate (TPM) and to identify predictors for TPM induced weight loss. 22 patients with epilepsy who were started on TPM were prospectively followed for 6 months and contacted again after a mean follow-up time of 37.1 months. Body mass index (BMI) loss occurred in 59% of patients, with a mean weight loss of 9.5 kg after 6 months while receiving TPM without further weight loss at the long term follow-up. Weight loss was associated with reduction in appetite without affecting food composition. Predictors for BMI loss after 6 months were high initial BMI and body fat. After 3 weeks of treatment with TPM, the recorded parameters did not predict BMI loss but at 3 months, weight loss, reduction of appetite and amount of food intake were predictive for the amount of BMI loss after 6 months.