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I started taking Namenda (memantine HCl) for migraine prevention a couple of weeks ago under the direction of Dr. John Claude Krusz. I've been on (and failed) every other usual suspect for prevention (Topamax, Zonegran, Neurontin, etc.), so this one may be unfamiliar.
Namenda was originally developed as a treatment for symptoms associated with Alzheimer's Disease and dementia. The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved Namenda for this use in October 2003.
Dr. Krusz has published research on the use of Namenda for migraine prevention. Though no double blind studies have been completed, the initial results seem promising.
Preventing Chronic TTH & Migraine with Namenda
Sources:Twenty patients with chronic Migraines who had not responded to other prophylaxis measures were studied. They had an average of 9.2 Migraines per month. Fourteen of 20 (60%) had TTH as well (average of 12.5 days per month). Memantine was added at 5mg per day with weekly increases of 5 mg, up to a maximum of 20 mg per day, as tolerated. Patients kept headache diaries for Migraines and TTH as well as pain scores. Evaluations were made after one month of therapy on 20 mg (or maximally tolerated dose) of memantine.
Migraine frequency fell to an average of 4.1 Migraines per month, or almost 56% less than at baseline, in 14 of 20 patients. Remaining Migraines were rated as less severe and easier to treat. Acute Migraine and rescue medication use dropped by two-thirds.
Preventing Chronic TTH & Migraine with Namenda
Namenda for Migraine and Chronic Headache Prevention
Memantine - USC University Hospital
Technorati Tags: namenda, medication, prevention, depression, migraines, chronic illness, health, somebody heal me
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Content by Diana E. Lee.
7 comments:
I'll be quite interested to see how this works for you. I saw a pain specialist this week who is prescribing Namenda to me in about 3 weeks if the other therapies aren't helping enough. So far "conventional" migraine treatments have failed.
i just started namenda today for migraine treatment. i've pretty much tried everything to no avail over the last 20 years. i'll let you know!
Bets
8/12/08 I started Namenda 4 weeks ago, WOW... what a difference, I have 70% less migraines and the ones I still have are so much easier to get rid of. Topamax had helped but didn't like side effects, Namenda works much better with minor side effect(slight constipation)
LOVE IT.I am premenopausal and headaches were taking over.Miniumal risk involved in giving it a try.Hope it helps someone else like it has me.
Could someone tell me how much the generic (mementine) runs for a month? I heard this is a drug for dementia?
How is the Namenda working for you, Diana? You don't say in your blog entry. I'd be quite interested since after also failing the usual meds, my doc has prescribed Namenda for me. Thanks,
Candy
Hello, Candy. I stopped taking the Namenda around 6 months ago because I wasn't getting any results from it.
I didn't have a single side effect, which was great, but it didn't do anything to help me, either.
I hope it turns out to be a good option for you!
Diana
I was interested to see that other people have also tried numerous medications as preventive for migraines. I have tried everything from topamax to enderol to elavil and so on, with very negative side effects and no reduction in headaches. I have started Namenda this week but am not holding my breath.
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