Antiepileptic drugs in migraine prophylaxis: state of the art.

A Capuano, C Vollono, D Mei, L Pierguidi, D Ferraro, G Di Trapani

Journal: La Clinica terapeutica 2004;155(2-3):79-87

PMID: 15244112

Abstract

Antiepileptic drugs have proven their efficacy in the prophylactic treatment of migraine. Our study comprises a clinical trial that examines the efficacy of gabapentin and topiramate and a description of the pharmacologic characteristics and the efficacy of tiagabine, lamotrigine, levetiracetam and zonisamide. Antiepileptic drugs have multiple modes of action which can explain their efficacy in reducing neuronal excitability which is proven in epilepsy and postulated in migraine. The relationship between epilepsy and migraine has, in fact, been much debated but never convincingly proven. Antiepileptic drugs could be useful in migraine prophylaxis as some of these have determined a reduction in the monthly frequency and intensity of crises in subjects suffering from migraine with and without aura. These are the aims that have been proposed by the U.S. Headache Consortium Evidence-Based Guidelines. Further double-blind placebo-controlled studies are necessary in order to assess their safety and efficacy.

Address: Neurology Institute, Headache Center, Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore Roma, Italia.

Link outs

Free resources

Medical:

https://medlineplus.gov/migraine.html

Miscellaneous:

https://assays.cancer.gov/CPTAC-1341

MeSH Terms: Acetates, Amines, Anticonvulsants, Clinical Trials as Topic, Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids, Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists, Fructose, Gabapentin, Humans, Isoxazoles, Lamotrigine, Levetiracetam, Migraine Disorders, Nipecotic Acids, Piracetam, Practice Guidelines as Topic, Primary Prevention, Tiagabine, Topiramate, Triazines, United States, Valproic Acid, Zonisamide, gamma-Aminobutyric Acid