Topiramate cost: What you’ll pay for topiramate for weight loss

Topiramate, available as a brand name drug including Topamax® or Trokendi XR®, is prescribed off-label for weight loss and can be a helpful weight management tool for some. But is it right for your body or your budget? 

Whether your health care provider has suggested topiramate or you're simply comparing different prescription drugs and treatment options for weight loss, you’ve come to the right place. ‍

Tell me more about topiramate

Topiramate is an anticonvulsant drug—like lamotrigine or valproic acid—that can be used alone or in combination with other medications to treat epilepsy or control some seizures. In addition to being approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat epilepsy, it is also FDA-approved to treat migraines. Topiramate is available as an oral prescription in both immediate- and extended-release capsules, but it’s not available over-the-counter. 

Research is ongoing to better understand topiramate’s efficacy as an off-label treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol use disorder, and binge-eating disorder. Some clinical studies have supported the off-label use of topiramate as a weight loss medication to treat obesity and excess weight. 

Why would a doctor prescribe topiramate? 

As an anticonvulsant, topiramate is most commonly prescribed to those diagnosed with epilepsy or seizures. However, due to promising clinical studies, topiramate is prescribed off-label by health care professionals as a treatment for obesity and excess weight. 

What does topiramate do for weight loss?

While more research is needed to understand precisely how it works for weight loss, clinical trials suggest it aids weight loss more than placebo. In a six-month clinical trial of 385 people with obesity, published in 2024 in Obesity Research, those taking topiramate lost an average of 4.8% to 6.3% of their initial body weight, depending on the dose. In contrast, placebo-treated participants lost, on average, only 2.6% of their initial body weight. 

Why is an antiepileptic drug effective in helping people lose weight? Studies are ongoing, but researchers believe topiramate helps stabilize activity in the brain, which influences a person’s level of excitement around things like food or alcohol consumption. According to an article published in Life (Basel), the drug’s impact on neural pathways may also affect the body’s reward systems—like those that associate food with joy rather than simple hunger satisfaction. These mechanisms may collectively help people reduce calorie intake and lose weight. Simply put, topiramate may help dissolve the impulse to eat merely for that dopamine hit.

Does topiramate have side effects?

While many people experience no side effects while taking topiramate, there are some associated side effects and risks. Some of the most common side effects are a feeling of pins and needles or tingling, cognitive issues, anorexia, sleepiness, dizziness, fatigue, memory or concentration problems, psychomotor slowing, speech difficulty, nervousness, respiratory issues, an abnormal or unpleasant taste in the mouth, abnormal vision, and fever. 

Topiramate may cause some people to sweat less; it’s important to avoid alcohol and stay hydrated. Don’t drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how topiramate affects you. Do not take topiramate if you are planning to become pregnant or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Read more about taking topiramate in the Found medication guide here. 

Each person will respond to a drug differently based on their biology and health needs, so seeking medical advice from a trusted health care professional, like a Found-affiliated clinician, when taking a medication is important. 

How much does topiramate cost without insurance? 

Prices for topiramate will vary depending on your health insurance coverage and co-pays, the dosage prescribed by your health care professional, whether you use a brand-name or generic version, and your chosen pharmacy. 

Without insurance, Topamax can cost about $470 for a 30-day/60-pill supply of 25-mg tablets or around $930 for 50-mg tablets.

Generic versions of topiramate can help patients save money. Even without insurance coverage, the average retail price for a 60-day supply of 25-mg topiramate tablets without insurance is about $71. 

Topiramate may be covered depending on your insurance plan and your health needs. Ask your insurance provider for additional information to help you understand your overall coverage and specific out-of-pocket costs. 

Are coupons available for topiramate? 

For eligible patients, the brand-name drug Topamax offers a savings card assistance program to help cut out-of-pocket costs for the prescription. While it is not valid for patients using Medicare or Medicaid, those who meet eligibility requirements for the savings program can pay just $4 for an initial fill and can receive up to $150 off a one-month supply. 

Can I get topiramate through Found? 

Yes! Topiramate is one of a selection of medications that our clinicians are able to prescribe. After consultation with a Found-affiliated provider, during which your medical history, biology, lifestyle, and weight are all accessed, your clinician may suggest topiramate for weight loss. (At Found, the ultimate decision regarding whether a patient qualifies for a particular medication rests with the provider.)

With Found, your weight care is personalized from Day 1. Our approach starts with your unique biology, medical history, and lifestyle which we use to inform your care plan. You’ll work alongside your Found-affiliated provider to determine the best prescription weight loss medication for your unique needs while our coaches and in-app community provide the support for the  lifestyle modifications of your personally tailored weight loss program. 

About Found

Found is among the largest medically-supported telehealth weight care platforms in the country, having served more than 250,000 members to date. To discover your MetabolicPrint™ and start your journey with Found, take our quiz.

Found is not affiliated with Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the owner of the registered trademark Trokendi XR®, nor Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the owner of the registered trademark Topamax®. The content provided is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a basis for diagnosing or treating any health condition. Always follow your healthcare provider’s instructions to ensure safe and effective management of your health conditions. Certain medications are only FDA approved to treat conditions other than weight but may be prescribed to help aid in weight loss. Prescriptions are up to a medical provider’s discretion. For key risk information by drug, visit the Found medication page.