Chronic migraine: new data shows Botox has more favorable tolerability than Topamax

Data from a prospective, open-label, head-to-head clinical trial for migraine presented at the 18th Congress of the International Headache Society in Vancouver (Canada, 7–10 September 2017) have demonstrated more favorable tolerability profile for Botox® (onabotulinumtoxinA) compared with Topamax® (topiramate). The FORWARD study involved 282 chronic migraine patients who received either Botox or Topamax. Of the patients randomized to receive Topamax, 50.7% discontinued treatment due to adverse effects, compared with 3.6% of patients taking Botox. In addition, 40% of Botox patients reported at least a 50% reduction in headache frequency, compared with 12% of patients taking Topamax. John Rothrock, Professor and...