The short answer. There isn't much data on Topiramate yet — 14 mentions, 10 with a clear outcome — so treat these numbers as anecdotal. It is most often used for focus: 0% of 5 reports say that improved. It is well studied — 382 meta-analyses on PubMed. The most common complaint is brain fog.
From 14 mentions in total — the rest didn't say how it went and aren't counted.
Of the people who reported each effect, the share who said it got better.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses from PubMed, with their published conclusions.
3+ meta-analyses or systematic reviews and 10+ randomized controlled trials in humans. The grade measures how much human research exists — read the conclusions below for what it found.
Conclusion: In adults with overweight and obesity, phentermine-topiramate and GLP-1 receptor agonists proved the best drugs in reducing weight; of the GLP-1 agonists, semaglutide might be the most effective.
PubMed 38582569 ↗Conclusion: Finding of this systematic review and network meta-analysis suggest that combining lifestyle treatment with obesity management medications was associated with the greatest short-term (typically 6 to 12 months) weight reduction in adolescents with obesity. HBLT remained an indispensable component of any effective weight management, delivering meaningful weight loss and healthier body composition on its own. Combined with lifestyle treatment, pharmacotherapy was a key component, not solely an adjunct, associated with the greatest BMI and BMI z score improvements, and long-term sustainability and
PubMed 42329656 ↗Conclusion: Cognitive behavioral therapy, lisdexamfetamine, SGAs, and topiramate reduced binge eating and related psychopathology, and lisdexamfetamine and topiramate reduced weight in adults with binge-eating disorder.
PubMed 27367316 ↗Conclusion: In conclusions, these antipsychotics, carbamazepine, lithium, tamoxifen, and valproate were effective for acute mania. However, only aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine, and risperidone had better acceptability than the placebo.
PubMed 34642461 ↗How often each side effect came up across all reports.
First-hand experiences, quoted verbatim. We show one positive and one negative where both exist.
“I also take topiramate for eating compulsion from anxiety from the beginning which always seemed to help.”
“My guess is this is from an anti-epileptic I was taking - one that messes with glutamate and causes 'brain slowing'. It's called Topiramate - AKA Dopamax. Among other things, it's an NMDAr antagonist and also messes with AMPA.”
User data from public discussions; research from PubMed. Information only, not medical advice — talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. Data updated October 3, 2026. How we rate