Johnson Jacinta L, Rolan Paul E
School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical School South Building, Frome Road, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical School South Building, Frome Road, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; Pain Management Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Pain and Anaesthesia Research Clinic, Royal Adelaide Hospital, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
J Clin Neurosci. 2015 Aug;22(8):1363-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2015.02.009. Epub 2015 Apr 22.
We report a 49-year-old female migraineur who experienced paradoxical hyperphagia and concurrent intrusive food thoughts leading to rapid weight gain and a substantial increase in waist circumference. A significant reduction in migraine frequency was also observed during topiramate treatment, a widely used migraine prophylactic agent which is generally associated with weight loss. Withdrawal of topiramate saw appetite return to baseline levels, however, migraine frequency was again increased. Topiramate was reinitiated in combination with phentermine, a drug indicated for weight management, without reoccurrence of adverse effects. Migraine control was maintained and progressive weight loss ensued. Combination treatment with phentermine may be a useful strategy should other patients experience this adverse reaction while gaining therapeutic anti-migraine benefit from topiramate.
