The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Topamax (topiramate) for prevention (prophylaxis) of migraine headaches in adolescents ages 12 to 17. This is the first FDA approval of a drug for migraine prevention in this age group. The medication is taken on a daily basis to reduce the frequency of migraine headaches.
 
Topamax was first approved by the FDA in 1996 to prevent seizures. It was approved for migraine prevention in adults in 2004.
 
“Migraine headaches can impact school performance, social interactions, and family life,” said Eric Bastings, deputy director of the Division of Neurology Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Adding dosing and safety information for the adolescent age group to the drug’s prescribing information will help to inform health care professionals and patients in making treatment choices.”
 
About 12 per cent of the US population experiences migraine headaches. Migraine headaches are characterized by episodes of throbbing and pulsating pain in the head, and may occur several times per month. Other common symptoms include increased sensitivity to light, noise, and odors, as well as nausea and vomiting. Many patients experience their first migraine attack before reaching adulthood, and migraine can be just as disabling in teens as it is in adults.
 
The safety and effectiveness of Topamax in preventing migraine headaches in adolescents ages 12 to 17 was established in a clinical trial that enrolled 103 participants. Those treated with Topamax experienced a decrease in the frequency of migraine of approximately 72 percent compared to 44 percent in participants that took an inactive drug (placebo).
 
The most common adverse reactions with the approved dose of Topamax (100 milligrams) were paresthesia (a burning or prickling sensation felt in the hands, arms, legs, or feet), upper respiratory infection, anorexia (loss of appetite), and abdominal pain.
 
Topamax must be dispensed with a Medication Guide that describes important safety information about the drug. Topamax and all anti-epileptic drugs may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviour, and patients should be advised of the need to be alert for the emergence of, or worsening of, the signs and symptoms of depression, or unusual changes in mood or behaviour.
 
Topamax increases the risk of the development of cleft lip and/or cleft palate (oral clefts) in infants born to women who take the drug during pregnancy. The benefits and risks of Topamax should be carefully weighed before using it in women of childbearing age.  If the decision is made to use the medication by a woman of childbearing age, effective birth control should be used.
 
Topamax is manufactured by New Jersey-based Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.