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A Case of Migraine With Aura Resolving on Warfarin But Not on Apixaban
Author(s) -
Nilsson Benjamin G.,
Bungard Tammy J.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
headache: the journal of head and face pain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.14
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1526-4610
pISSN - 0017-8748
DOI - 10.1111/head.13190
Subject(s) - warfarin , apixaban , aura , migraine , medicine , migraine with aura , heparin , anesthesia , rivaroxaban , atrial fibrillation
Several case reports have associated anticoagulants such as heparin and vitamin K antagonists with reduced symptoms in migraine, but no data exist for direct acting oral factor Xa inhibitors. We report the case of a 55‐year‐old female who experienced complete remission of migraine with aura for 12 years while on warfarin, with return of symptoms within 3 weeks of switching to apixaban, and resolution of symptoms once again within days of warfarin resumption. Our case suggests that anticoagulation alone is not sufficient to improve migraine symptoms. Further study of vitamin K‐dependent proteins not involved in anticoagulation, such as the relatively novel growth arrest‐specific gene 6, may clarify the link between warfarin and migraine symptoms.