Stavzor Almost Approved For Migraine Prevention
For those with migraines that can’t be controlled with current medicines or alternative therapies, they’s been singing “I Want A New Drug” with Huey Lewis for quite a while. They might not have to wait much longer to try another drug (hey — it can’t hurt.) The FDA yesterday approved a new drug, although it still needs a final test.
This time the drug is called Stavzor (delayed release valporic acid) and is primarily targeted as a bipolar medication, with a side effect of preventing migraines as well as helping to prevent eplieptic seizures. If you happen to have the triple whammy of bipolar disorder, migraines and eplipsey, this is especially good news….at least, I hope so. Lord knows, you need something to look forward to.
What Is It?
Stavzor is made by Noven Pharmaecuticals, Inc of Miami, Florida. The FDA has approved three dosage sizes of 125mg, 250mg and 500mg. Yup — these sound like big capsules!
Stavzor will not — nor is expected to — help relieve migraine pain once the migraine has begun. This is a preventative only.
The earliest we can expect it on the market is August, 2008, after a final approval test by the FDA in July of 2008 “at the earliest”. One of the concerns about the anticonvulsant valproic acid is that it might cause liver damage if taken for a long time, especially in children 2 or under (however, Stavzor seems to be aimed at adults, so far.) Valproic acid can also screw up diabetes tests, so if you do go on it and have to take diabetes tests, let the testers know.
There are other brand names of valproic acid availble on the market (Depakene and Depakote), but they are not usually perscribed for just migraine prevention. You could ask your doctor what he or she thinks of the current line of valproic acid to see if it may benefit you. Always follow your doctor’s advice.
Hope this helps, and have a pain-free weekend.
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