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The following program is affiliated with Janssen.

TOPAMAX® Savings Program

Eligible patients using commercial or private insurance can save on out-of-pocket costs for TOPAMAX®. Eligible patients pay an initial $4 per fill at participating retail pharmacies and receive up to $150 off their out-of-pocket prescription costs, with a maximum program benefit of $1,800 or 12 fills per calendar year, whichever comes first. Not valid for patients using Medicare, Medicaid, or other government-funded programs to pay for their medications. Terms expire at the end of each calendar year and may change. Offer not valid in CA and MA. There is no income requirement.

We provide cost support directly to patients through the Janssen CarePath Savings Program. This benefit is intended to help eligible patients afford their out-of-pocket obligations as set by their health plans. The cost support is meant solely for patients—not health plans and/or their partners.

See program requirements and visit the program site

The following programs are not affiliated with Janssen.

Be sure to contact the programs directly to get details on eligibility and application requirements, and to see if they have funding available to help you.

State-Sponsored Programs

Some states sponsor prescription financial assistance programs, each with its own eligibility requirements. Find out if your state has a program that can help you.

Visit this program site

Independent co-pay assistance foundations

Independent co-pay assistance foundations have their own rules for eligibility, which are subject to change. We cannot guarantee a foundation will help you. We only can refer you to a foundation that supports your disease state. This information is provided as a resource for you. We do not endorse any particular foundation. The foundations on this list are not the only ones that might be able to help you.

The following programs are not affiliated with Janssen.

Be sure to contact the programs directly to get details on eligibility and application requirements, and to see if they have funding available to help you.

State-Sponsored Programs

Some states sponsor prescription financial assistance programs, each with its own eligibility requirements. Find out if your state has a program that can help you.

Visit this program site

Medicare Savings Program

Many states have programs for people with limited income and resources that pay some or all of Medicare's premiums and may pay Medicare deductibles and co-insurance. Find out if your state has a program that can help you.

Visit this program site

Medicare Part D Extra Help — Low-Income Subsidy

Medicare patients who have limited income and resources may qualify for "extra help" to pay for prescription drugs. The Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program from Medicare provides financial assistance for patients who may otherwise be unable to afford the costs associated with their Medicare Part D plan.

Those who are eligible for LIS may:

  • Receive assistance paying their monthly premium
  • Have a reduced or no deductible
  • Have reduced or no prescription co-insurance and co-payments
  • Have no gap in coverage

Visit this program site

Medicaid

Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide free or low-cost health coverage to millions of Americans, including some low-income people, families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

Some states have expanded their Medicaid programs to cover all people below certain income levels.

Visit this program site

Independent co-pay assistance foundations

Independent co-pay assistance foundations have their own rules for eligibility, which are subject to change. We cannot guarantee a foundation will help you. We only can refer you to a foundation that supports your disease state. This information is provided as a resource for you. We do not endorse any particular foundation. The foundations on this list are not the only ones that might be able to help you.

The following programs are not affiliated with Janssen.

Be sure to contact the programs directly to get details on eligibility and application requirements, and to see if they have funding available to help you.

State-Sponsored Programs

Some states sponsor prescription financial assistance programs, each with its own eligibility requirements. Find out if your state has a program that can help you.

Visit this program site

Medicaid

Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide free or low-cost health coverage to millions of Americans, including some low-income people, families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

Some states have expanded their Medicaid programs to cover all people below certain income levels.

Visit this program site

The following program is affiliated with Janssen.

TOPAMAX® Savings Program

Eligible patients using commercial or private insurance can save on out-of-pocket costs for TOPAMAX®. Eligible patients pay an initial $4 per fill at participating retail pharmacies and receive up to $150 off their out-of-pocket prescription costs, with a maximum program benefit of $1,800 or 12 fills per calendar year, whichever comes first. Not valid for patients using Medicare, Medicaid, or other government-funded programs to pay for their medications. Terms expire at the end of each calendar year and may change. Offer not valid in CA and MA. There is no income requirement.

We provide cost support directly to patients through the Janssen CarePath Savings Program. This benefit is intended to help eligible patients afford their out-of-pocket obligations as set by their health plans. The cost support is meant solely for patients—not health plans and/or their partners.

See program requirements and visit the program site

The following programs are not affiliated with Janssen.

Be sure to contact the programs directly to get details on eligibility and application requirements, and to see if they have funding available to help you.

State-Sponsored Programs

Some states sponsor prescription financial assistance programs, each with its own eligibility requirements. Find out if your state has a program that can help you.

Visit this program site

Medicare Savings Program

Many states have programs for people with limited income and resources that pay some or all of Medicare's premiums and may pay Medicare deductibles and co-insurance. Find out if your state has a program that can help you.

Visit this program site

Medicare Part D Extra Help — Low-Income Subsidy

Medicare patients who have limited income and resources may qualify for "extra help" to pay for prescription drugs. The Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program from Medicare provides financial assistance for patients who may otherwise be unable to afford the costs associated with their Medicare Part D plan.

Those who are eligible for LIS may:

  • Receive assistance paying their monthly premium
  • Have a reduced or no deductible
  • Have reduced or no prescription co-insurance and co-payments
  • Have no gap in coverage

Visit this program site

Medicaid

Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide free or low-cost health coverage to millions of Americans, including some low-income people, families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

Some states have expanded their Medicaid programs to cover all people below certain income levels.

Visit this program site

Independent co-pay assistance foundations

Independent co-pay assistance foundations have their own rules for eligibility, which are subject to change. We cannot guarantee a foundation will help you. We only can refer you to a foundation that supports your disease state. This information is provided as a resource for you. We do not endorse any particular foundation. The foundations on this list are not the only ones that might be able to help you.

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
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INDICATIONS

TOPAMAX® is a prescription medicine used:

  • To treat certain types of seizures (partial onset seizures and primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures) in adults and children 2 years and older,
  • With other medicines to treat certain types of seizures (partial onset seizures, primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome) in adults and children 2 years and older,
  • To prevent migraine headaches in adults and adolescents 12 years and older.

Important Safety Information

What is the most important information I should know about TOPAMAX®?

TOPAMAX® may cause eye problems. Serious eye problems include:

  • Any sudden decrease in vision with or without eye pain and redness.
  • A blockage of fluid in the eye causing increased pressure in the eye (secondary angle closure glaucoma).

These eye problems can lead to permanent loss of vision if not treated.

You should call your healthcare provider right away if you have any new eye symptoms, including any new problems with your vision.

TOPAMAX® may cause decreased sweating and increased body temperature (fever). People, especially children, should be watched for signs of decreased sweating and fever, especially in hot temperatures. Some people may need to be hospitalized for this condition. If a high fever, a fever that does not go away, or decreased sweating develops, call your healthcare provider right away.

TOPAMAX® can increase the level of acid in your blood (metabolic acidosis). If left untreated, metabolic acidosis can cause brittle or soft bones (osteoporosis, osteomalacia, osteopenia), kidney stones, can slow the rate of growth in children, and may possibly harm your baby if you are pregnant. Metabolic acidosis can happen with or without symptoms. Sometimes people with metabolic acidosis will:

  • Feel tired
  • Not feel hungry (loss of appetite)
  • Feel changes in heartbeat
  • Have trouble thinking clearly

Your healthcare provider should do a blood test to measure the level of acid in your blood before and during your treatment with TOPAMAX®. If you are pregnant, you should talk to your healthcare provider about whether you have metabolic acidosis.

Like other antiepileptic drugs, TOPAMAX® may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500. Call a healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you:

  • Thoughts about suicide or dying
  • Attempts to commit suicide
  • New or worse depression
  • New or worse anxiety
  • Panic attacks
  • An extreme increase in activity and talking (mania)
  • Feeling agitated or restless
  • Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
  • New or worse irritability
  • Acting aggressive, being angry or violent
  • Acting on dangerous impulses
  • Other unusual changes in behavior or mood

TOPAMAX® may lower bone mineral density. TOPAMAX® may decrease the density of bones when used over a long period.

TOPAMAX® may have negative effects on growth in children. TOPAMAX® may slow height increases and weight gain in children and adolescents when used over a long period

Do not stop TOPAMAX® without first talking to a healthcare provider.

  • Stopping TOPAMAX® suddenly can cause serious problems.
  • Suicidal thoughts or actions can be caused by things other than medicines. If you have suicidal thoughts or actions, your healthcare provider may check for other causes.
  • If you have epilepsy and you stop taking TOPAMAX® suddenly, you may have seizures that do not stop. Your healthcare provider will tell you how to stop taking TOPAMAX® slowly.
  • If you miss a single dose of TOPAMAX®, take it as soon as you can. However, if you are within 6 hours of taking your next scheduled dose, wait until then to take your usual dose of TOPAMAX® and skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose. If you have missed more than one dose, you should call your healthcare provider for advice.

How can I watch for early symptoms of suicidal thoughts and actions?

  • Pay attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings.
  • Keep all follow-up visits with your healthcare provider as scheduled.
  • Call your healthcare provider between visits as needed, especially if you are worried about symptoms.

TOPAMAX® can harm your unborn baby.

  • If you take TOPAMAX® during pregnancy, your baby has a higher risk for birth defects called cleft lip and cleft palate. These defects can begin early in pregnancy, even before you know you are pregnant.
  • Cleft lip and cleft palate may happen even in children born to women who are not taking any medicines and do not have other risk factors.
  • There may be other medicines to treat your condition that have a lower chance of birth defects.
  • All women of childbearing age should talk to their healthcare providers about using other possible treatments instead of TOPAMAX®. If the decision is made to use TOPAMAX®, you should use effective birth control (contraception) unless you are planning to become pregnant. You should talk to your doctor about the best kind of birth control to use while you are taking TOPAMAX®.
  • Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant while taking TOPAMAX®. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will continue to take TOPAMAX® while you are pregnant.
  • If you take TOPAMAX® during pregnancy, your baby may be smaller than expected at birth. The long-term effects of this are not known. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about this risk during pregnancy.
  • Metabolic acidosis may have harmful effects on your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider if TOPAMAX® has caused metabolic acidosis during your pregnancy.
  • Pregnancy Registry: If you become pregnant while taking TOPAMAX®, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry. You can enroll in this registry by calling 1-888-233-2334. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the safety of TOPAMAX® and other antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy.

Before taking TOPAMAX®, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • Have or have had depression, mood problems, or suicidal thoughts or behavior
  • Have kidney problems, have kidney stones, or are getting kidney dialysis
  • Have a history of metabolic acidosis (too much acid in the blood)
  • Have liver problems
  • Have weak, brittle, or soft bones (osteomalacia, osteoporosis, osteopenia, or decreased bone density)
  • Have lung or breathing problems
  • Have eye problems, especially glaucoma
  • Have diarrhea
  • Have a growth problem
  • Are on a diet high in fat and low in carbohydrates, which is called a ketogenic diet
  • Are having surgery
  • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
  • Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. TOPAMAX® passes into breast milk. Breastfed babies may be sleepy or have diarrhea. It is not known if the TOPAMAX® that passes into breast milk can cause serious harm to your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you take TOPAMAX®.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. TOPAMAX® and other medicines may affect each other causing side effects. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take:

  • Valproic acid (such as Depakene® or Depakote®).
  • Any medicines that impair or decrease your thinking, concentration, or muscle coordination.
  • Birth control that contains hormones (such as pills, implants, patches or injections). TOPAMAX® may make your birth control less effective. Tell your healthcare provider if your menstrual bleeding changes while you are using birth control and TOPAMAX®.

Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure if your medicine is listed above. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist each time you get a new medicine. Do not start a new medicine without talking with your healthcare provider.

How should I take TOPAMAX®?

  • Take TOPAMAX® exactly as prescribed.
  • Your healthcare provider may change your dose. Do not change your dose without talking to your healthcare provider.
  • Take TOPAMAX® tablets whole. Do not chew the tablets. They may leave a bitter taste.
  • TOPAMAX® sprinkle capsules may be swallowed whole or may be opened and sprinkled on a teaspoon of soft food. Drink fluids right after eating the food and medicine mixture to make sure it is all swallowed. Do not chew the food and medicine mixture.
  • Do not store any medicine and food mixture for later use.
  • TOPAMAX® can be taken before, during, or after a meal. Drink plenty of fluids during the day. This may help prevent kidney stones while taking TOPAMAX®.
  • If you take too much TOPAMAX®, call your healthcare provider right away or go to the nearest emergency room.
  • If you miss a single dose of TOPAMAX®, take it as soon as you can. However, if you are within 6 hours of taking your next scheduled dose, wait until then to take your usual dose of TOPAMAX® and skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose. If you have missed more than one dose, you should call your healthcare provider for advice.
  • Do not stop taking TOPAMAX® without talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping TOPAMAX® suddenly may cause serious problems. If you have epilepsy and you stop taking TOPAMAX® suddenly, you may have seizures that do not stop. Your healthcare provider will tell you how to stop taking TOPAMAX® slowly.
  • Your healthcare provider may do blood tests while you take TOPAMAX®.

What should I avoid while taking TOPAMAX®?

  • You should not drink alcohol while taking TOPAMAX®. TOPAMAX® and alcohol can affect each other, causing side effects such as sleepiness and dizziness.
  • Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how TOPAMAX® affects you. TOPAMAX® can slow your thinking and motor skills, and may affect vision.

Even when taking TOPAMAX® or other antiepileptic medicines, some people with epilepsy will continue to have unpredictable seizures. Therefore, use caution and talk to your doctor before beginning any activities where loss of consciousness could result in serious danger to you or those around you (including swimming, driving a car, climbing in high places, etc.).

What are the possible side effects of TOPAMAX®?

TOPAMAX® may cause serious side effects including:

See “What is the most important information I should know about TOPAMAX®?”

  • High blood ammonia levels. High ammonia in the blood can affect your mental activities, slow your alertness, make you feel tired, or cause vomiting. This has happened when TOPAMAX® is taken with a medicine called valproic acid (Depakene® or Depakote®).
  • Effects on thinking and alertness. TOPAMAX® may affect how you think and cause confusion, problems with concentration, attention, memory, or speech. TOPAMAX® may cause depression or mood problems, tiredness, and sleepiness.
  • Dizziness or loss of muscle coordination.
  • Serious skin reactions. TOPAMAX® may cause a severe rash with blisters and peeling skin, especially around the mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals (Stevens-Johnson syndrome). TOPAMAX® may also cause a rash with blisters and peeling skin over much of the body that may cause death (toxic epidermal necrolysis). Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop a skin rash or blisters.
  • Kidney stones. Drink plenty of fluids when taking TOPAMAX® to decrease your chances of getting kidney stones.
  • Low body temperature. Taking TOPAMAX® when you are also taking valproic acid can cause a drop in body temperature to less than 95°F, feeling tired, confusion, or coma.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the symptoms above.

The most common side effects of TOPAMAX® include:

  • Tingling of the arms and legs (paresthesia)
  • Not feeling hungry
  • Nausea
  • A change in the way foods taste
  • Diarrhea
  • Weight loss
  • Nervousness
  • Upper respiratory tract infection
  • Speech problems
  • Tiredness
  • Dizziness
  • Sleepiness/drowsiness
  • Slow reactions
  • Difficulty with memory
  • Pain in the abdomen
  • Fever
  • Abnormal vision
  • Decreased feeling or sensitivity, especially in the skin

Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of TOPAMAX®.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or by visiting http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

You may also report side effects to Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., at 1-800-JANSSEN (1-800-526-7736).

Please click here to read the full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for TOPAMAX®.

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