OBJECTIVE: To review the literature regarding the use of intravenous valproic acid in aborting an acute migraine attack. DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE (1967-June 2007) and bibliographic search of the English-language literature was conducted using the search terms valproic acid and migraine disorders. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: All articles identified through the search were included. DATA SYNTHESIS: Divalproex sodium is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of migraine headaches. The use of intravenous valproic acid has been studied as a possible treatment for acute migraine. Available studies are small, mostly open-label and non-placebo-controlled, and used variable doses. Valproic acid has not been shown to be superior to comparator drugs and was inferior to prochlorperazine in one trial. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous valproic acid has not been proven effective for acute migraine treatment. Future trials should be larger, placebo-controlled, and use a standardized dose and outcome measures.
OBJECTIVE: To review the literature regarding the use of intravenous valproic acid in aborting an acute migraine attack. DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE (1967-June 2007) and bibliographic search of the English-language literature was conducted using the search terms valproic acid and migraine disorders. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: All articles identified through the search were included. DATA SYNTHESIS: Divalproex sodium is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of migraine headaches. The use of intravenous valproic acid has been studied as a possible treatment for acute migraine. Available studies are small, mostly open-label and non-placebo-controlled, and used variable doses. Valproic acid has not been shown to be superior to comparator drugs and was inferior to prochlorperazine in one trial. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous valproic acid has not been proven effective for acute migraine treatment. Future trials should be larger, placebo-controlled, and use a standardized dose and outcome measures.
Authors: Zhaiyi Zhang; Paolo Convertini; Manli Shen; Xiu Xu; Frédéric Lemoine; Pierre de la Grange; Douglas A Andres; Stefan Stamm Journal: PLoS One Date: 2013-12-17 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Paola Sarchielli; Franco Granella; Maria Pia Prudenzano; Luigi Alberto Pini; Vincenzo Guidetti; Giorgio Bono; Lorenzo Pinessi; Massimo Alessandri; Fabio Antonaci; Marcello Fanciullacci; Anna Ferrari; Mario Guazzelli; Giuseppe Nappi; Grazia Sances; Giorgio Sandrini; Lidia Savi; Cristina Tassorelli; Giorgio Zanchin Journal: J Headache Pain Date: 2012-05 Impact factor: 7.277