Examples
|
| topiramate | Topamax |
| valproate | Depakene, Depakote |
How It Works
Topiramate and valproate are
seizure medicines that are typically used to control
seizures in people who have
epilepsy. It is not clear how they work to prevent
migraines.
Why It Is Used
These seizure medicines, when they are
taken regularly, may help to prevent migraine headaches.
How Well It Works
These medicines can reduce the number
of migraines you get each month by more than half. This happened to about 50
out of 100 people who took these medicines to prevent migraines.1
Side Effects
Common side effects of topiramate
include:
- Fatigue.
- A prickling or tingling
sensation in the hands and feet.
- Lack of
coordination.
- Loss of appetite and weight
loss.
- Inability to concentrate or speak clearly.
Topiramate has been linked in some people to a potentially
life-threatening condition called metabolic acidosis, which happens when there
is too much acid in the blood. Symptoms include fatigue, lack of appetite, and
rapid breathing (hyperventilation). If left untreated,
metabolic acidosis can lead to death.
In rare cases, topiramate may
cause serious side effects, such as:
- Glaucoma, which
can lead to blindness.
- An inability to sweat, which can lead to
life-threatening fever or
heatstroke.
Side effects from valproate may include:
- Fatigue.
- Nausea.
- Tremor or shakiness.
- Hair
loss.
- Weight gain.
- Headache pain that is different than pain from a migraine
headache.
Uncommon but potentially life-threatening side effects of
valproate include:
- Liver failure.
- Inflammation of the
pancreas.
- Elevated levels of ammonia in the blood
(hyperammonemia).
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) has issued a warning on seizure medicines and the risk of suicide and
suicidal thoughts. The FDA does not recommend that people stop using these
medicines. Instead, people who take seizure medicines should be watched
closely for
warning signs of suicide. People who take seizure
medicines and who are worried about this side effect should talk to a doctor.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug
Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Women who take seizure medicines
need to talk with their doctors if they are considering becoming pregnant.
Seizure medicines may harm a fetus. Valproate is more likely to cause serious birth defects, especially if it is taken during the first 3 months of pregnancy.
Topiramate may make birth
control pills less effective. A woman who is taking topiramate may need to use
another method of birth control to reduce her chances of becoming pregnant.
If you have had kidney stones, be sure to tell your doctor this
before you take topiramate. Using topiramate may increase your risk of having
kidney stones again.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
References
Citations
- Drugs for migraine (2011). Treatment Guidelines From The Medical Letter, 9(102): 7–12.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology |
|---|
| Last Revised | June 10, 2011 |
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