[Sodium valproate versus propranolol in the prophylactic treatment of migraine].

In the recent years sodium valproate (SV) has been proposed as a prophylactic drug in migraine. Several reports documented a positive effect of SV in migrainous patients. The authors present the results of the open study in 35 women with migraine without aura treated with the daily dose of 1000-1500 mg of SV, during 10 weeks. The results were compared with the effect of propranolol administered to the same patients, in daily dose of 120-160 mg during 10 weeks. The effects were similar: in both methods more than 50% reduction of frequency and severity of attacks was obtained. The side effects were generally mild; in no case the treatment was stopped. The authors conclude that in the future SV might be administered in migraine prophylaxis as the first choice drug.