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Felbamate‐Induced Headache
Author(s) -
Ettinger Alan B.,
Jandorf Lina,
Berdia Ajay,
Andriola Mary R.,
Krupp Lauren B.,
Weisbrot Deborah M.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/j.1528-1157.1996.tb00599.x
Subject(s) - felbamate , medicine , anesthesia , headaches , anemia , complication , anticonvulsant , epilepsy , surgery , psychiatry
Summary: We prospectively investigated drug‐induced headaches (HA) among 60 epileptic patients receiving felbamate (FBM). Twenty patients (33%) experienced HA. HA was pounding in 11 (55%), steady in 9 (45%), moderate or severe in 19 (95%), occurred at least once a week in all patients, and was relieved by nonnarcotic analgesics in 14 (70%). Mean duration on FBM before HA onset was 19 days. HA occurred with higher FBM doses and was relieved in 8 of 13 patients (62%) with FBM dose reduction. FBM was discontinued in most cases because of risks of anemia or hepatitis; not because of HA. Other side effects included insomnia (25%), gastrointestinal symptoms (27%), and agitation or restlessness (23%). HA is a common dose‐related complication of FBM, occurs early after initiation of FBM treatment, and is relieved by dose reduction.