From: Aids to management of headache disorders in primary care (2nd edition)
First line: • Carbamazepine 200–2400 mg daily • Oxcarbazepine 600–2400 mg daily | These drugs: • reduce efficacy of oral contraceptives; • may induce hyponatraemia (especially oxcarbazepine): regular monitoring is advised; • Mmay induce osteoporosis in long-term treatment: prophylaxis against this is advised |
Second-line (either as monotherapy or as add-on medication): • Gabapentin 600–3600 mg daily • Pregabalin 150–600 mg daily • Lamotrigine 200–1000 mg daily (very slow up-titration necessary) |