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Anticonvulsants in migraine.

William B Young¹, Hua Chiang Siow, Stephen D Silberstein

¹Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Jefferson Headache Center, 111 South 11th Street, Gibbon Building, Suite #8130, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. william.b.young@jefferson.edu

Current Pain and Headache Reports

|April 30, 2004

Summary

Anticonvulsant medications are effective for preventing migraine attacks. Studies show drugs like valproic acid and topiramate help manage this disabling neurological disorder.

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Area of Science:

Neurology
Pharmacology

Background:

Migraine is a prevalent and disabling neurological disorder often necessitating preventive therapies.
Treatment decisions for migraine prevention consider disability, acute medication issues, and potential for overuse.
Comorbidity between migraine and epilepsy, both episodic central nervous system disorders, is recognized.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the efficacy of anticonvulsant medications in the preventive treatment of migraine.
To review evidence supporting the use of specific anticonvulsants for migraine management.

Main Methods:

Review of controlled trials and randomized, placebo-controlled studies.
Analysis of efficacy data for anticonvulsants including valproic acid, topiramate, gabapentin, and lamotrigine.

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Main Results:

Valproic acid and topiramate demonstrated significant efficacy in migraine prevention through randomized trials.
Gabapentin showed some efficacy, while lamotrigine's effectiveness was limited to migraine aura, not headache.
Anticonvulsants represent a viable therapeutic option for migraine prophylaxis.

Conclusions:

Anticonvulsant drugs are a valuable addition to the preventive treatment strategies for migraine.
Specific anticonvulsants offer proven benefits for reducing migraine frequency and severity.