Is Migravent an effective medication for migraines?

Hi Sue!

I know what a tough decision it is deciding on preventives for migraine. As far as the Topamax goes, remember, your doctor would be prescribing the drug for the benefits it can give you. That being said, there are side affects with Topamax, just like with any drug. It is up to you if the relief you could get from the drug, outweights the side affects.

As far as the Migravent goes, I personally have not taken it, but looking at the ingrediants, it's things you can get or are probably already getting in your mulit vitamin or if you already take suppliments. The only thing in it that would not be in your suppliments is Butterbur.

Be aware though, that are pleny of other options besides Topamax. See our list here: Migraine Preventives: Too Many Options to Give Up!

Also, if you decide to take Topamax, please see this article for dosage information:

Dosage and Tapering Topamax for Migraine Prevention.

Good Luck!

Personally, I wouldn't recommend Topamax if my life depended on it. I must say, out of all the medications I've tried, topamax did reduce the intensity of my daily migraines. HOWEVER, the side effects I experienced were: I lost about 20 pounds in 3 weeks which is not healthy. My face felt so numb that I felt like I had just gotten a whole mouth full of cavities filled. My finder felt like they had frost bite. And, from my knees to my toes, felt like they were constantly falling asleep. Yes, I was happy to get some relief from my migraines but I was just as miserable with the side effects of topamax as I was with my migraines. Not everyone experiences these symptoms but beware of the possibility.

Unfortunately, at this time, I don't have any suggestions for an effective medication. I've been going to my neurologist for a year and a half, taken about 15 different medications, gone through more tests than a lab rat and I still have full blown migraines everyday. Good luck. I hope you find some relief!

I lost weight on topamax, however the side effects other than that good one my feet tingled uncontrollably it was really dustrbing... it was a tingle all the time and the higher the dose the worse it got. i think if you don't get that side effect you will be good with it. i wish i could still take it. oh, if you do take it make sure you take it just like the doctor orders as he will give you strict orders and go on them otherwise it will make you sick and dizzy.... that is one of those meds where you take maybe a pill for a couple days 1 time a day then you will take maybe one in the morning and one in the afternoon.. oh,if you have no insurance it is outrageously high!!!!

I have been on Topamax for 2 years and it did cut the frequency of my migraines in half!  Those bizarre side effects did go away at exactly the 6 week mark - just as my Dr. predicted .  I lost 8 lbs, but eventually they came back - that "side effect" is just not meant to last!  Be aware - the drug will more than likely make you cognitively slower and possibly tired at the end of the day.  (But you can reduce your dosage to find the balance you can live with.)  So, in the end, if you are debilitated with migraines, I would recommend Topamax.  My Dr. has taken me off it b/c I was down to 25 mg a day and I am starting to have more frequent migraines.  I am not willing to up my dosage - so we are trying "Migravent" as an alternative.  I am glad b/c I would much rather be on a natural-type remedy than a heavy duty RX drug.  I am keeping my fingers crossed.