I lost over 100 pounds in less than 8 months using 600 mgs of Topramil ( Topomax ) which was dangerously fast. First thing in the morning and last thing at night since it is also a sedative. It really works for most people but it is extremely expensive so I hope you have good insurance.
Edit: Yes, I worked in mental health and it is an Topomax is an Anti Convulsant that is indicated also as a Mood-stabilizer and off label as a weight loss agent. Your doctor knows very well what he/she is doing. Don't take medical counsel from a Pharmacy tech.
I care very much and spent my whole adult life serving peoples needs in a professional capacity. I'm saying that a Psychiatrist or GP is trained with internship or residency to know the nuances of such things and I after thirty years of both a provider and consumer of mental health services (a Postrauma person myself ) Know very well of which I speak.
I have worked with these meds with literally thousands of consumers of services( through case services if not directly) over the years especially just as a consumer myself just as people do and not even as matter of employment at all, but myself included and I don't appreciate the insults.

My father was on Topamax to lose weight and it killed him.

Huh! That's the first time I ever heard of Topamax being used for weight loss. Once upon a time I took it for migraines and never had any side effects with it, including weight loss. So if it works, good luck to you. My suggestion on time, if you're taking it twice a day is to take it every 12 hours. So as long as you're consistant (eg, every day at 8AM and 8PM), you should be fine. Good luck!

TOPAMAX PRESCRIPTION IS AN ANTI SEIZURE /PREVENT MIGRAINE MEDICINE??? YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK W/YOUR DOCTOR TO CLARIFY ON HOW HE WANTS YOU TO TAKE IT... I WORK AT A PHARMACY AS A CERTIFIED TECH (9 YEARS)
AS FOR THE THE MENTAL WORKER BELOW ,HE HIMSELF USED THE WORD "DANGEROUSLY" TAKING MEDS INCORRECTLY COULD BE DANGEROUS!!
THEY HAVE A NEW ALLI WEIGHT LOSS OUT THAT IS OTC AND WORKS LIKE XENICAL!!!
ALL I AM SAYING IS BE CAREFULWHILE TAKING ANY MEDICATION AND WEIGHT LOSS MEDICATION..GOOD LUCK IN YOUR WEIGHT LOSS!!!!!