Topiramate for migraine prophylaxis

Abstract

Topiramate is one of several antiepileptic drugs that are used in the prevention of migraine, but the only one licensed for use in the UK. Topiramate has an extensive evidence base provided by double-blind, placebo-controlled trials to show that it is a safe, effective and well tolerated drug in the management of migraine. It has also been shown to have a role in the management of chronic migraine, which represents a challenge to primary care clinicians as well as headache specialists. Studies have demonstrated that topiramate can also be effective in preventing migraine in childhood and adolescence, although this is unlicensed in the UK. It has been shown in models both in the US and the UK to offer a cost benefit when direct and indirect costs are evaluated by reducing work loss, improving quality of life and reducing the use of increasingly scarce health resources.