The Experiential Comparison of Levetiracetam Efficacy in Migraine Headache with Sodium Valproate

Abstract

Background: Migraine and other recurrent headaches are considered a major public health concern. Levetiracetam, a broad spectrum anti-epileptic have been used in migraine prophylaxis. Objectives: Assessment the efficacy of levetiracetam on migraine in comparison to sodium valproate. Materials and Methods: This randomized double blind clinical trial was performed on patients with migraine headache, diagnosed based on ICDH-version B criteria. One group received levetiracetam and the other group received valproate sodium. The number of migraine attacks per month, the mean duration of attacks and the intensity of pain (VAS) and disability due to headache (MIDAS) were assessed at first and after four weeks of treatment. Data were analyzed in SPSS 20 by Mann-Whitney-U and Chi-square tests. The significance level was set<0.05. Results: Thirty patients (28 women and 2 men, mean age of 35.14±7.3 years) remained in the valproate group and 33 patients (31women and 2 men, mean age of 36.33±6.7 years) in the levetiracetam group. The patients in both groups showed a statistically significant reduction in the frequency of headache (p=0.0001); intensity of headache (p=0.004); mean duration of attacks (p=0.0001) and MIDAS score of disability (p=0.004) compared to baseline. There was also a statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of frequency of attacks (p=0.0001), intensity of pain (p=0.0001); and MIDAS score (p=0.0001), by the end of the treatment with superiority of levetiracetam. Conclusion: Levetiracetam, compared to valproate, yielded better results in prophylaxis of migraine headache.

Keywords

• Levetiracetam
• Migraine