Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.
Topiramate is an anticonvulsant with several actions: it blocks sodium channels and AMPA/kainate glutamate receptors, strengthens GABA and weakly inhibits carbonic anhydrase. It is used for epilepsy, to prevent migraine and, combined with phentermine (Qsymia), for weight management. Tingling, word-finding difficulty and kidney stones are known side effects. It is sold as Topamax, among other names.
Topiramate is cleared mostly unchanged by the kidneys. Studies have looked at GRIK1, a kainate receptor gene, for how well it reduced heavy drinking (an off-label use), at GABA receptor genes and SCN2A for seizures, and at CA12 for side effects. The findings come from a few studies, and there is no CPIC or DPWG guideline.
Every published finding on gene variants and Topiramate. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.
PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.
INSR rs2396185: Level 3. Efficacy. 1.
SCN2A rs2304016: Level 3. Efficacy: Epilepsy. 1.
CA12 rs4984241: Level 3. Other. 1.
CA12 rs2306719: Level 3. Other. 1.
Studies of how quickly the body processes this medication.
Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.
Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.
More drugs from the same category
Antiepileptics (class) (Anticonvulsants)
Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.
Content updated September 2026.
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