campral vs topamax

[jerri 2765]

what's the difference? I noticed all the side effects of the topamax. Does anyone have any serious problems with it? Can you take it WITH the kudzu and does that make it work better?

[matthew1965]

campral vs topamax

topa and campral

I have not yet taken topa but have been taken campral, no side effects except a litle diarrhea, could be all the vitamins though too. I find the problem with it is you still want to drink. not a lot mind you but still do. absolutely cut down. they say it isbetter when maintaining abstienne

[jerri 2765]

campral vs topamax

YUP

That is my problem with the Campral. It worked at first, but within two weeks, I was drinking again! I want to try the kudzu...at least that I can afford!

Thanks!

[GA Peach]

campral vs topamax

I take Campral and it did nothing for me. I'm new so I'm excited about trying the Kudzu and vitamin. I just hope it works

[mikeupnorth]

campral vs topamax

Campral is meant to be used only for people whose goal is total abstinence, and works best in conjunction with some other kind of supportive therapy-- like MWO or AA. It shouldn't be started until you have several days of abstinence under your belt, and if you drink after you start it, it reduces its efficacy.

Topamax can be started even while you are still drinking, and can be used whether your goal is moderation or abstinence. It, too, works best in conjunction with supportive therapy.

Kudzu helps reduce cravings no matter which medication you take. I think RJ's & Dr. Garcia's current recommendation is 1200 to 3000 mg per day.

I tried Campral first because I was a bit spooked by the description of topa's possible side effects. I felt some reduction in cravings at first, but had some gastrointestinal distress. Also after a while it didn't seem to be working any more -- because I kept drinking here and there. Bottom line: I wasn't committed to abstinence, which is the way Campral is supposed to work. Every time I drank, I was undermining the effectiveness of the Campral.

I've been on Topamax now the last couple of months. Of course with this drug you start with a very small dose and titrate up so that you reduce the risk of side effects. I started with 25 mg per day and am now at 200 mg per day. I have had no side effects other than some sleepiness and the occasional trouble finding the word I'm looking for. (Small price to pay compared to the hangovers I used to experience on a regular basis.....) I'm also taking 1800 mg of kudzu and the All One vitamin mix. With Topamax, I wouldn't say that it's a magic bullet, but I definitely notice a strong reduction in cravings, especially as my dosage has increased. (When I went from 150 mg to 200, it was like I suddenly had this new-found strength to resist the urge to drink.... amazing). Also, as long as I drink wine or beer, I can drink a couple and leave it at that. The only problem is that my "drink of choice" is vodka, which seems to overpower the topa and send me over the edge.... So now I've come to the conclusion that abstinence is where I need to be. And I am OK with that. If I can truly "take it or leave it" [alcohol, that is], why not just leave it? And the longer that I am on topa at the higher dose, the less that I even care to have a drink....

Anyway, that is my experience with Campral and Topamax. I think they are both powerful and effective drugs in our arsenal -- but they work in different ways, and you may find that one is better for you than the other.

All the best,

Mike

[Lucy Van Pelt]

campral vs topamax

I too tried campral first, because it seemed the "safer" of the two drugs in terms of side effects. However, it didn't seem to help me at all. I was unable to abstain, and therefore never was able to achieve the benifits of the drug. I also had really terrible intestinal problems on campral...so after about a month I went off and tried topamax. By the time I titrated up to 75 milligrams, I was amazed at how it curbed my desire to drink. I have been on it since may. My goal is abstinance, and although I am not quite there yet, I can truly say that my "giving in" to drinking has been my own stupidiy rather than due to the irrisistable cravings I used to get. And I don't have that "out of control" feeling anymore. Basically, I cannot blame my actions on my addiction anymore.....I truly think the medication has been like a magic bullet for me in that regard.

I now take 100 mgs. Other than some sleepiness at the beginning, I have had no other side effects.

I hope this helps.

Beth

[pgksmom]

campral vs topamax

I am on campral and naltrexone and together they are working great. I am totally abstaining now and plan to for 3 to 6 months and then maybe try to moderate. Do have some GI problems but hope they will improve.