Could Topamax Increase Heart Risks?
Topamax use has been linked to decreases in body weight and kidney stones, but no studies have looked at its affect on uric acid levels until now. Now, a new Topamax study, conducted by researchers from Duzce University in Turkey, has found that people taking the drug for migraine treatment had higher levels of uric acid in their blood - a condition that could increase their risk for heart problems.
The study looked at 53 patients taking Topamax and 44 who did not. Those using the drug had significantly more uric acid in their blood than patients not using Topamax. In the Topamax patients for whom pretreatment uric acid levels were known, average uric acid levels were significantly higher after initiation of Topamax treatment than in the pretreatment measurements.
It is known that excess uric acid in the body can create oxidative stress, which contributes to diseases, including the buildup of artery-clogging plaques. Such plaques are a major risk factor for heart problems.
