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3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Zonisamide for migraine prophylaxis in refractory patients
A Ashkenazi1, A Benlifer, J Korenblit
1Jefferson Headache Center, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. avi.ashkenazi@jefferson.edu
Cephalalgia : an International Journal of Headache
|September 12, 2006
Summary
Zonisamide, an antiepileptic drug, was evaluated for migraine prophylaxis in difficult-to-treat patients. While fatigue was a common side effect, zonisamide did not significantly reduce headache frequency or severity in this refractory group.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Zonisamide is an antiepileptic drug with a favorable pharmacokinetic profile.
- Preliminary studies suggest potential efficacy of zonisamide in migraine prophylaxis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of zonisamide for migraine prophylaxis in patients with refractory migraine.
- To assess the impact of zonisamide on headache frequency, attack duration, severity, and disability.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of adult patients with episodic migraine (EM) or transformed migraine (TM).
- Patients received zonisamide for at least 60 days after failing an average of 6.2 prior prophylactic medications.
- Comparison of headache parameters before and after zonisamide treatment.
Main Results:
- Thirty-three refractory migraine patients (70% TM, 30% EM) were included.
- Average monthly headache days decreased slightly from 20.7 to 18.0 (P=0.06), with similar non-significant trends in TM and EM subgroups.
- No significant changes were observed in attack duration, severity, or disability. Fatigue was the most common adverse event (42.4%).
Conclusions:
- Zonisamide therapy did not demonstrate a statistically significant beneficial effect on headache parameters in this cohort of refractory migraine patients.
- Tolerability was generally good, with most adverse events reported as mild or moderate.
- Further research may be needed to identify specific patient subgroups who could benefit from zonisamide for migraine prophylaxis.
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