Placebos Helping Kids With Migraines? Sugar Pills Keeping Up With Drugs

Migraine has become a common problem among people of all ages as the toll of depression patients is increasing with every passing day. It may be surprising to know that even children encounter migraine. Even though migraine does not have a proven causal relation with depression, it sure has a high correlation.

As per a report by Associated Press, sugar pills are as effective and full of impact in treating and preventing this severe headache. A test was done in which people was given anti-seizure topiramate and the anti-depressant amitriptyline. The core motive was to notice if usage of these drugs can minimize the number of migraine patients to half.

Both of these drugs worked pretty well and so did Placebo sugar pills. According to a psychologist at Cincinnati Children's Hospital's headache center, this study is significant and changes our outlook at the cure for headaches. The neurology chief Dr. Leon Epstein, who is currently a part of Ann & Robert Lurie H. Children's Hospital of Chicago, openly stated that it is now very evident that these two drugs are not any more effective than the Placebo sugar pills when it comes to the cure of migraines.

About 10 percent of United States school population is estimated to be suffering from a migraine that is more likely to develop into stubborn headaches in adulthood. The only authorized drug medication from the government is topiramate for children and teens. It is available by names Topamax and Qudexy.

A study was further undertaken to engage 300 students of age group 80 to 17. They were given topiramate (and also other drugs) and placebo for six months. According to New York Daily News, the results were compared at the end of six months that showed the drug did successfully cut a migraine suffering percentage to half but the group taking Placebo obtained the same results as well.

This showed both of them are equally effective. The group consuming drugs faced few side-effects like fatigue and dry mouth, which shows that drug consumption should never be the first priority for migraine treatment among children.