Addiction Coping and Recovery Overcoming Addiction How Topiramate Is Used to Treat Alcohol Use Disorder By Buddy T Buddy T Facebook Twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial process Updated on May 18, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Steven Gans, MD Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Phil Ashley Stone / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents How It Works Effectiveness Side Effects How to Use Other Medications Topamax (topiramate) is an anti-seizure medication usually prescribed for people with epilepsy, but it can also be prescribed to help people who are alcohol-dependent to stop drinking. Research involving Topamax and alcohol reveals some evidence that it may decrease alcohol intake. Topiramate is used off-label for the treatment of alcohol use disorder, meaning that it is not FDA approved for this purpose. However, it is recommended in the 2015 United States Department of Veterans Affairs / Department of Defense Practice Guideline for the Management of Substance Use Disorders for people who have moderate-to-severe alcohol use disorder. Topiramate and Alcohol Cravings Topamax has been shown to reduce alcohol cravings in people who have alcohol use disorder. It is not completely clear exactly how it works from a biochemical standpoint, but there are some possible mechanisms that have been suggested. One explanation is that drinkers get pleasure from alcohol because it triggers the release of dopamine, a positive feedback chemical in the brain. Drinking also alters GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Topiramate is thought to have an effect on alcohol cravings and alcohol use by interacting with GABA. It also potentially decreases the release of dopamine, which is involved in the pleasure caused by alcohol consumption. Topamax's Effectiveness for Alcohol Use Disorder Since Topamax was first considered as a treatment for alcohol use disorder, a number of studies have been done to test its effectiveness. Research shows that it is an effective treatment option in terms of its ability to reduce harmful drinking patterns. The results of studies done so far suggest that low doses of topiramate can: Ameliorate the anxiety and mood instability that may occur when you quit drinking Lessen cravings for alcohol and reduce the pleasure of drinking Produce a substantial effect on improving the maintenance of abstinence and reducing alcohol use That said, topiramate is not effective for every aspect of alcohol use disorder. It has been found to be more effective for people who have certain characteristics, for instance, including those with alcohol cravings, drinking obsessions, and habitual drinking. There is also some evidence that topiramate may be more effective for treating alcohol use disorder in people who have certain genetic patterns. Topamax or topiramate is not considered effective in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Side Effects of Topiramate While topiramate can help people with alcohol use issues, it doesn't always come without side effects. All epilepsy medications (like Topiramate) come with a warning of their potential to increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors. This is of particular concern if you have a history of depression or other mental health conditions. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Other side effects of topiramate can include: Change in appetite and ability to taste foodDrowsinessParesthesias (tingling of the arms or legs)Trouble concentrating and other thinking problems How to Use Topamax for Alcohol Use Disorder For the treatment of alcohol use disorder, topiramate dosage can range from 75 milligrams per day to a maximal dose of 300 milligrams per day. Once you're ready to stop taking it, it is recommended that you slowly decrease your topiramate dosage. Also, avoid abruptly stopping this medication without your healthcare provider's consent. Topiramate is generally not recommended for use when consuming alcohol. Mixing Topamax and alcohol can cause them to interfere with each other, resulting in negative side effects. However, your healthcare provider may suggest using it even if you are still trying to decrease your alcohol use. Other Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder Topamax isn't the only drug-based option for people who are trying to reduce or stop alcohol consumption. Three medications—Antabuse (disulfiram), naltrexone, and Campral (acamprosate)—are currently approved by the FDA for treating alcohol use disorder in the U.S. Each of these medications works somewhat differently. Antabuse does not reduce cravings but makes the person feel sick from consuming alcohol, increasing the reinforcement to stay abstinent. Naltrexone and Campral help to reduce cravings in people who have already quit drinking. A Word From Verywell Medications used to treat alcohol use disorder are helpful but counseling, actively engaging in strategies to reduce alcohol consumption, and, most importantly, a decision to quit are important aspects of recovering from alcohol addiction. If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. 7 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Salisbury-Afshar E, Fleming M. Identification of and treatment for unhealthy alcohol use in primary care settings. Am Fam Phys. 2019;99(12):733-734, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline For the Management of Substance Use Disorders. Paparrigopoulos T, Tzavellas E, Karaiskos D, Kourlaba G, Liappas I. Treatment of alcohol dependence with low-dose topiramate: an open-label controlled study. BMC Psychiatry. 2011;11:41. doi:10.1186/1471-244X-11-41 Manhapra A, Chakraborty A, Arias AJ. Topiramate pharmacotherapy for alcohol use disorder and other addictions: a narrative review. J Addict Med. 2019;13(1):7-22. doi:10.1097/ADM.0000000000000443 National Alliance on Mental Illness. Topiramate. Guglielmo, R., Martinotti, G., Quatrale, M. et al. Topiramate in alcohol use disorders: review and update. CNS Drugs. 2015;29:383–395. doi:10.1007/s40263-015-0244-0 Winslow B, Onysko M, Herbert M. Medications for alcohol use disorder. Am Fam Physician. 2016 Mar 15;93(6):457-465. Additional Reading National Institute on Drug Abuse. Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide. By Buddy T Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit Get Treatment for Addiction Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.