Study Recommends
Topamax for Migraines
May 06, 2005
A recent study showed that Topamax treatment can lead
to a significant reduction in the frequency of migraine
headaches.
Topamax was originally introduced as a medication for
treating epilepsy and was found to be effective as a
mood stabilizer for those with bipolar disorder.
The study consisted of 469 patients who were divided
into four groups receiving different doses of:
a. 50mg
b. 100mg
c. 200mg
d. placebo (inactive pill)
It was found that those who received either 100 or
200mg of Topamax daily experienced an average 39 and
41 percent reduction in migraine frequency, respectively.
Finally, the patients' body weight at the beginning
of the study was also measured, and the results once
again proved that Topamax, unlike other anticonvulsants
/ mood stabilizers, can actually assist a person with
weight loss:
" 100 and 200 mg - average 3.8% weight loss
" 50 mg - average 2.4% weight loss
" Placebo - average 0.3% weight gain
To put that in proportion, a 3.8 percent body weight
loss translates to a 200 pound person losing 7.6 pounds
in 26 weeks.
Using these studies and others, an application will
be filed with the US Food and Drug Administration asking
approval to market Topamax for treatment of migraine
headaches.
Source: http://bipolar.about.com
|
