title: Comparison of efficacy and safety of topiramate with gabapentin in migraine prophylaxis: randomized open label control trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy and safety of topiramate with gabapentin in the prophylaxis of migraine patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 12-week randomised open label control trial was conducted at the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi from January to March 2011 involving 80 outpatients who had a history of migraine. The sample was divided into two equal groups. Primary efficacy measure was changed into mean monthly migraine frequency. Secondary efficacy measure included reduction in severity and average duration of an attack. Chi square test and paired t-test were used to analyse the data through SPSS 15.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Reduction in mean monthly migraine frequency (10.67 +/- 4.25 to 1.82 +/- 2.02) in the topiramate group was significantly greater compared with (11.97 +/- 4.452 to 2.73 +/- 2.59) that in the gabapentin group (p < 0.001). Reduction in severity from 6.60 +/- 2.122 to 1.03 +/- 0.92 in the topiramate group was also significantly greater compared with 6.93 +/- 1.90 to 1.18 +/- 1.01 in the gabapentin group (p < 0.001). Reduction in the average duration of attacks from 25.77 +/- 22.32 hours to 1.05 +/- 1.06 hours in the topiramate group was significantly greater compared with 22.20 +/- 20.72 to 1.08 +/- 1.40 hours in the gabapentin group (p < 0.001). Weight loss and numbness were common adverse effects in the topiramate group. Dizziness, weight gain and somnolence were reported in the gabapentin group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gabapentin appeared well tolerated in 30 (75%) patients compared to topiramate in 23(57.5%) patients. Both drugs were equally effective in migraine prophylaxis.
authors.affiliation: Saleem Centre North Karachi. drsyeda_07@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Syeda
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zain
authors.forename: Moosa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Rafique
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alam
authors.forename: Irfan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zafar
authors.forename: Shakil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahmed
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000588:Amines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005632:Fructose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077236:Topiramate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000588:Amines; D000700:Analgesics; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D000077236:Topiramate; D005632:Fructose; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin