Seizure medicines for tension headaches
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Seizure medicines for tension headaches
Seizure medicines are drugs that are used to treat seizures and are rarely used to treat daily tension headaches. There is some evidence that the medication divalproex sodium (for example, Depakote) is effective in reducing the frequency and duration of daily tension headaches.1 Divalproex sodium can be used as the only treatment for your tension headaches and may be used safely for a long period of time.
Side effects of seizure medicines can include:
- Weight gain.
- Hair loss.
- Tremor or shakiness.
- If you are pregnant, neural tube defects in the fetus.
References
Citations
Freitag FG, et al. (2001). Divalproex in the long-term treatment of chronic daily headaches. Headache, 41: 271–278.
Credits
| Author | Monica Rhodes |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology |
| Last Updated | July 30, 2007 |
| Last updated: | July 30, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Monica Rhodes |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman |
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