Comparing Zonisamide With Sodium Valproate in the Management of Migraine Headaches: Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial of Efficacy and Safety
نویسندگان
1 Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
2 Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
3 Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
4 School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
5 Nephrology and Urology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
6 Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
7 School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
8 Research Complex at Harwell, London, United Kingdom
doi
چکیده
Background: Migraine is one of the most debilitating medical conditions and has a high socioeconomic burden. As conventional therapeuticmethods do not entirely alleviate the symptoms, new alternatives are being considered.Objectives: This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of zonisamide compared with sodium valproate in the management of migraine headaches.Patients and Methods: In the current double-blind, parallel, randomized, controlled trial, 96 patients with a migraine diagnosis based on theinternational headache society (HIS) criteria were selected. They were divided randomly into two groups; the case group was given zonisamide, andsodium valproate was given to a control group. In addition to the side effects of the drugs, the severity, duration, and frequency of migraine attackswere evaluated at baseline and at three months.Results: The 96 selected patients were divided randomly into two treatment groups (zonisamide n = 48, sodium valproate n = 48). Seven patientswere excluded from analysis because of early dropout, leaving 89 (n = 45; n = 44) patients for analysis. While using zonisamide, six (13%) patientscomplained of fatigue, and two (4%) patients encountered noticeable appetite and weight loss. In the control group, five (11%) patients reporteddizziness, and four (9%) patients faced obvious appetite and weight gain. Both drugs were considerably efficient in reducing further attacks. Therewas no statistically significant correlation between frequency or severity of migraine attacks and the drug used for treatment in three months offollow-up.Conclusions: Both medications are effective in reducing migraine attacks. It will be important to consider the drugs’ adverse effects and availabilityand patients’ medical and socioeconomic condition to select the appropriate treatment.
