Migraine Prevention with Topamax

For many people, the word migraine is best defined as a seemingly excruciating headache that other people get from time to time. For others, the word conjures up sights, sounds, and feelings that make them shudder. Those in the second group are migraineurs – people who suffer migraine.

Migraine prevention is a priority for migraineurs. For many years, however, prevention was not even a possibility. Then Topamax appeared on the market.

What Topamax Is

Topamax (topiramate) is an anti-epileptic drug that has been around for a while. In 2005, however, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Topamax for migraine prevention in adults. No one knows exactly how Topamax works for migraine prevention, but it appears to affect neuronal hyperexcitability, which is thought to be a factor in migraine development.

Effectiveness for Migraine Prevention

Migraine prevention with topiramate has been studied in patients ranging between ages 12 to 65 who averaged 5.5 headaches per month.

1. Approximately 22 percent of patients taking 3-7 placebo (sugar pills) daily experienced migraine prevention about half of the time.

2. Between 37 and 54 percent of patients taking 50 mg of topiramate twice daily experienced migraine prevention about half of the time.

In the study, migraine prevention began about 1 month after patients began taking the medication.

Side Effects of Topamax Migraine Prevention

While topiramate appears to be relatively safe, many people find it difficult to tolerate. Common side effects include: nausea, fatigue, paresthesia, anorexia, diarrhea, weight decrease, and taste alteration. Serious adverse effects include: lowering of bicarbonate levels in the blood; blurred vision or ocular pain; decreased sweating and increased body temperature; difficulty thinking; psychiatric/behavioral problems including suicidal thoughts or behavior; and drowsiness.

Cost of Topamax for Migraine Prevention

Migraine prevention should be less costly. A one month supply of Topamax will cost you approximately $210 USD. That is $3.50 per tablet. This high cost coupled with the relatively frequent adverse side effects is cause to consider other approaches to migraine prevention. Ask your physician about beta blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, or riboflavin for migraine prevention.

CAUTION: The author is not a medical professional, and presents the above material for educational purposes only. Please see your doctor for more information about Topamax and migraine prevention.