Epilepsy Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Epilepsy, including details on symptoms, causes, treatment, drugs, information.

Topiramate, nutrition and weight change: a prospective study.

Klein KM, Theisen F, Knake S, Oertel WH, Hebebrand J, Rosenow F, Hamer HM

Interdisciplinary Epilepsy-Centre, Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, Rudolf-Bultmann-Str 8, 35033 Marburg, Germany. klein.km@staff.uni-marburg.de

PURPOSE: 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. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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.

Published 14 April 2008 in J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 79(5): 590-3.
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