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Oxcarbazepine No Good For Migraines

by Rena Sherwood

Back to the drawing boardAt least, that’s the conclusion drawn in the latest issue of Nuerology that comes out today. It was hoped that oxcarbazepine (which is officially classified as an anti-epileptic drug and sold under the brand Trileptol) could prevent migraines. The bad news is that oxycarbazepine is no good for migraine prevention. The good news is that it still works well for epiliptics. Unfortunately, this not a blog about epliepsy.

How’d They Come To This Conclusion?

“They” in this case is the fine researchers at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. (Can you tell that I come from the Greater Philly area?) The study took about five months with human volunteers from clinics all over the country. All told, 170 human guinea pigs took part, of which I am grateful, because no real guinea pigs were harmed in this particular study.

All of the human guinea pigs had at least three to nine migraine attacks a month. Half took a placebo while half took the oxcarbazepine. The results? There was no difference whatsoever between those that took the placebo and those that took the oxcarbazepine.

Why Did They Think It Could Work In The First Place?

Drugs for epilepsy have been able to help prevent migraines in a lot of people in the past. Unfortunatley, this one doesn’t join the ranks. There was a particular hope for oxcarbazepine to be a migraine preventative as it has very mild side effects.

The epliepsy drugs that do help prevent migraines (and have side effects harder on the body) are:

  • Topiramate (the ever popular Topamax)
  • Divalproex
  • Gabapentin (brand name Nuerontin)

Ironically, this study was funded by the very makers of oxcarbazepine, Novartis Pharmaceuticals. Hmmm, I guess they didn’t pay the researchers enough (Cheap joke — sorrry!)

Here’s a quick reminder of the FDA’s recent warning about all anti-convulsants or medicines for elipetics (including Topamax and Nuerontin).

Hope this helps.


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