Valproate products are drugs primarily used to control seizures in people with epilepsy, to treat episodes of bipolar disorder and to prevent migraine headaches. An intravenous form of valproic acid called valproate sodium, known as the brand Depacon, is useful for the treatment of acute migraines, bringing relief to people experiencing these debilitating headaches.
Effectiveness
Valproic acid is one of the best medicines for preventing migraines; guidelines published by the American Headache Consortium give valproic acid its highest rating, reports Bellaire Neurology. It is unclear why valproate products work for preventing and treating migraines because the drugs have a broad range of effects and because the functional changes involved in migraines are complex, according to an article published in the April 1997 issue of "Cephalalgia."
The GABA Connection
A migraine results when abnormal brain activity occurs in the brain due to any of numerous possible factors, such as stress, certain foods, alcohol, changes in sleep patterns or allergic reactions. Most medical experts believe the headache begins in the brain, affecting various nerve pathways, chemicals, blood flow and surrounding tissues, according to PubMed Health. The "Cephalalgia" article says that valproate increases brain levels of gamma-amino butyric acid, or GABA. As a neurotransmitter, GABA calms nervous activity in the brain. GABA may suppress migraine activity and nervous tissue inflammation, and the positive effects of valproate may result from a combination of actions in different brain locations, according to this article.
Research
A study published in the October 2000 issue of the journal "Headache" found that infusing 300 mg of intravenous valproate sodium was effective for alleviating acute migraine headaches. In 66 migraine attacks, the average time to onset of relief was eight minutes and the average time to complete relief was 25 minutes. Forty-eight of the 66 individuals experienced significant improvement within 30 minutes. Treatment with valproate sodium generally resulted in significantly decreased headache pain, nausea, disability and sensitivity to light. No one reported any serious negative effects from the treatment.
Considerations
Valproate sodium and valproic acid are associated with several serious side effects. Using valproate sodium or related products during pregnancy can cause birth defects and an increased risk of lower cognitive ability in the children, advises PubMed Health. Valproate also has been connected with serious damage to the pancreas, and valproic acid may cause serious damage to the liver. Many other serious effects are possible as well.
References
- PubMed Health: Migraine
- PubMed Health: Valproic Acid
- Drugs.com: Depacon
- Bellaire Neurology: Epilepsy Treatments
- "Headache"; Intravenous Valproate Sodium (Depacon) Aborts Migraine Rapidly; N.T. Mathew, et al.; October 2000
- "Cephalalgia"; Possible Mechanisms of Valproate in Migraine Prophylaxis; F.M. Cutrer; April 1997
