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The label of the medication will tell you how many pills to take and how many times a day you should take them. In general, you will take one pill twice a day. Topamax (and the generic versions) can be taken with or without food. Taking more than the recommended dose will not help you lose weight, but it can increase your chances of dangerous side effects. If you have trouble swallowing the pill, take a sip of water with it. Do not chew the capsule. If you were given Topamax Sprinkle Capsule, you can open the pill with a fingernail and sprinkle the contents onto a spoonful of applesauce. If you will take the next dose very soon, however, skip the missed dose. It is not a good idea to double up your dose of medication. For example, you might take a dose in the morning at 8 am and a dose at night at 8 pm.  If you missed your morning dose and it is noon, go ahead and take the missed dose. If you missed the morning dose and it is 6 pm, skip the missed dose and just take your evening dose. Topamax may reduce your food cravings, but you will still have more success losing weight if you eat a nutritious diet while on it. Choose a diet that contains fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains. Avoid processed foods that are high in sugar and saturated or trans fats.  To lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you consume. It is considered safe to lose 1 pound (0.45 kg) a week. To do this, you will need to cut 500 calories a day from your diet.  Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian to form a low-calorie diet plan that can help you lose weight. If you have been diagnosed with an eating disorder, talk to your therapist as well to determine if a diet is right for you at this time. Just like with diet, exercising while taking Topamax can increase your chances of losing weight. Talk to your doctor to see what type of exercises are safe for you. If you are just starting out, you can do gentle, low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, or using an elliptical. Do at least 20-30 minutes of exercise a day. You can hire a personal trainer at a local gym to a help you exercise. The trainer can help you get on an exercise regimen that will help you lose weight. Topamax should be stored at room temperature. A medicine cabinet or drawer is a good place to keep your Topamax. Just make sure that children and pets cannot get to it.
Read the label to learn how often to take Topamax. Swallow the pill. Take your medicine as soon as possible if you miss a dose. Eat a healthy, balanced diet to boost weight loss. Exercise daily to burn more calories. Store your medication in a dry, dark place.