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Conditions that trigger painful nerves can also cause seizures, fits or convulsions. Medical studies indicate that a close association exists between incidence of nerve conditions like convulsions and spinal cord damage. Also, infectious conditions caused by herpes zoster (this can also cause shingles) may lead to convulsions. All such conditions are to be managed with drugs. Meds of a genre known as anticonvulsant meds are commonly prescribed. But what anticonvulsants are used for migraine? It is a key thing to have additional details about this.

The federal med approving body food and drug administration (FDA) in US has cleared a few meds for the treatment of nerve-based discomforts. These meds are categorised under a genre known as anticonvulsants or antiepileptic meds. Anticonvulsants alter the ways your system reacts to discomforts linked to nerve conditions such as seizures.

What are the widely administered anticonvulsant drugs?

Medications that are commonly prescribed in this genre include pregabalin, gabapentin, etc. Of such meds, gabapentin is commonly taken for reducing the severity of seizures. This drug is also used for the prevention of seizures. It is used as part of first-line treatment for several nerve conditions. The good news here is this med is available both as branded and generic formulations.

Pregabalin (lyrica remains a widely used branded formulation made from this generic drug) is administered to treat conditions like fibromyalgia, painful nerves (also known as neuralgia), etc. This anticonvulsant drug gains access to your blood stream (and thus into your nerves) way too faster than many other meds of the genre. All it needs is less than 60 minutes to reach highest degree of concentration in the system.

A few other drugs of the anticonvulsant genre include carbamazepine (you can get Tegretol, its branded equivalent, with ease), lamotrigine (a leading brand is called Lamictal) as well as valproate (popular brand names made off this generic are Depakote / Depakene).

What anticonvulsants are used for migraine?

It is thought that anticonvulsant meds exert sizable influence over electrical activities of your cerebral system. For instance, gabapentin is used as an off-label mode to treat migraine. Dosage hovers in the range of 300 milligrams (mg) to 600 mg. Dosage strength depends on your age, how acute is your migraine and presence of other health conditions, if any.

Use of anticonvulsant drugs for treating migraine may cause a few unpleasant side effects. These adverse outcomes include sizable lapse in coordination, inflammation of feet and arms, blurring of eyesight, erratic movements of the eyes, etc. If any of these signs turn into a persistent or an acute health condition, seek medical attention quickly. In the US, you may call 911. In Canada, you can reach out to Health Canada immediately.

In general, anticonvulsant meds are used when other options to manage migraines have failed to yield desired remedies. The first-line treatment of migraine will include conventionally used meds made for the purpose. It is important to adhere to the dosage plan prescribed to you.

Moreover, if you have frequent spells of migraines or headaches, it is essential to talk to a qualified neurologist or a caregiver. Often, frequent episodes of migraine are a sign of another health condition. Your treating physician is likely to order to few tests or a scan to do a proper diagnosis of the underlying health problem.

Last but not least, intake of anticonvulsant meds for migraine must be under the guidance and as per instructions of a certified medical practitioner. It is dangerous to consume these meds as part of the self-medication route or as an over the counter (OTC) med. Above all, it is highly recommended to talk to your treating physician to have more details about what anticonvulsant meds are used for migraine.

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Disclaimer


Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.