title: A randomized trial comparing amitriptyline versus topiramate for the prophylaxis of chronic daily headache in pediatric patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  the goal of this prospective and double-blind study was to compare the efficacy of amitriptyline and topiramate for the prevention of pediatric chronic daily headache (CDH).
  
  
  METHODS
  fifty-seven children (aged 9-16 yr) diagnosed with CDH were randomly assigned to two groups: group A (n = 29 patients) received amitriptyline 0.5 mg/kg/d and group B (n = 28 patients) received topiramate 25 mg/d increasing up to 100 mg/d according to patient response. Treatment response was monitored for at least 4 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  fifty-five percent of the patients in group A responded to amitriptyline and 61% of patients in group B responded to topiramate as defined by a reduction of more than 50% in monthly headache frequency. There was no significant difference in responder rate or adverse event rate between the two groups (p > 0.05). By the end of the 4-month treatment period, there were no significant differences in the final average severity and monthly frequency of headaches between treatment groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  these results suggest that the efficacy and tolerability of topiramate is equivalent to that of amitriptyline for reducing the frequency of headache in pediatric CHD patients.
authors: Division of Pediatric Neurology, Baskent University School of Medicine, Bahcelievler, Ankara, Turkey. taner.sezer@baskent-ank.edu.tr
authors: Taner
authors: T
authors: Sezer
authors: Hasan
authors: H
authors: Kandemir
authors: Fusun
authors: F
authors: Alehan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005632:Fructose / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020773:Headache Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000077236:Topiramate
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077236:Topiramate; D000639:Amitriptyline; D005632:Fructose