Sugar pills get used to prevent kids’ migraines as a headache medicine, but the side effects are fewer, according to a recent study lead by doctors about rethinking how the common ailment in children and teens can be treated.
This test is first of its kind head-to-head test made on kids of two generic prescription drugs used for migraines in adults: topiramate, an anti-seizure medicine and amitriptyline, an anti-depressant.
This study is to see whether this drug will be of help in reducing the number of days kids suffer with migraines over a month’s time. Either of the drugs worked well just the way placebo sugar pills did.
The results of the study were released online in the New England Journal of Medicine. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and National Institute of Child Health and Human Development had paid for the research.
Dr. Leon Epstein neurology chief at Ann & Robert Lurie H said the common medicines used are not effective compared to placebo.
According to Epstein, this should lead neurologists to depend on preventive strategies. Lifestyle changes like sleeping for long time, reducing stress, etc are some of the ways in which they can prevent migraines in teen patients.