Gabapentin in the prophylaxis of migraine: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study.
OBJECTIVE
Gabapentin is an antiepileptic drug of new generation that increases brain GABA levels. We report the results of a three-month randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study on the effects of gabapentin in the prophylaxis of patients with migraine meeting the IHS criteria.


METHODS
We treated 63 patients suffering from migraine with or without aura. Patients treated their attack at home using symptomatic drugs and clinical assessment was recorded on a diary. After a washout of 8 week from any other prophylactic treatment, all patients were treated with 1200 mg/day of gabapentin; this is our therapeutic plan: 400 mg/day from 1st to 3rd day, 800 mg/day from 4th to 6th day and 1200 mg/day from 7th day.


RESULTS
No patients withdrew, gabapentin was well tolerated; adverse events (somnolence, dizziness, tremor, fatigue and ataxia) generally were transient and mild to moderate in severity and in 13 patients (27%) only occurred. At the end of treatment, in such case, we reported a significative reduction of frequency and intensity of migraine in 30 patients treated with gabapentin.


CONCLUSIONS
Our observations indicate that gabapentin is well tolerated by patients and that reduces headache frequency and use of symptomatic drugs in both groups. Gabapentin shows to have an effective therapeutic action in the prophylactic treatment of migraine.
Di Trapani
G
G
Institute of Neurology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy. gditrapani@rm.unicatt.it
Mei
D
D
Marra
C
C
Mazza
S
S
Capuano
A
A
D000085:Acetates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000588:Amines; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
D000085:Acetates; D000588:Amines; D000700:Analgesics; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin