Topiramate, nutrition and weight change: a prospective study

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.