title: Effectiveness of topiramate in the treatment of pediatric chronic daily headache.
abstract: This study reports on the efficacy and safety of low-dose topiramate in the treatment of pediatric patients with chronic daily headache. Topiramate is one of the new antiepileptic drugs commonly being used for migraine prophylaxis in adults as well as children and was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for migraine treatment in adults. This report presents our experience with low-dose topiramate for the treatment of chronic daily headache using a retrospective parental survey of 21 patients ranging in age from 6 to 18 years. Efficacy and safety were evaluated using a parental assessment and satisfaction questionnaire. Sixty-two percent of families reported that low-dose topiramate (average dose of 30 mg/day) was successful in reducing both the frequency and severity of headache episodes. The headache frequency decreased from 22.8 headaches/month to 7.2 headaches/month and severity decreased from a pain score of 8.1 to 3.7. Topiramate was safe, well tolerated, and highly effective at low doses in the treatment of chronic daily headaches.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, 97239, USA.
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Borzy
authors.forename: Thomas K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Schimschock
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005632:Fructose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D020773:Headache Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D000077236:Topiramate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077236:Topiramate; D005632:Fructose