Serum uric acid and lipid levels while taking topiramate for migraine.

OBJECTIVE

Topiramate (TPM) therapies for epilepsy or migraine are long-time therapies with unknown mechanisms and special side effects. TPM influences cholesterol (TC) and lipoprotein serum levels. In addition, TPM may cause uric acid (UA) stone formation.

METHODS

Serum UA, TC, and triglyceride (TG) levels were measured in 53 migraine patients receiving TPM and in 44 age- and sex-matched controls. Compared with controls, patients on TPM showed significantly higher UA and nonsignificantly higher TC and TG values. We recorded pre- and posttreatment levels of UA, TC, and TG levels in 23 patients.

RESULTS

We found increased serum levels of UA with TPM use (P < .01). There was a significant and positive correlation between serum UA levels and male gender (P < .01).The changes in serum UA levels before and after TPM treatment differed significantly (P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest a need for monitoring serum UA levels in patients receiving TPM. We should perhaps prescribe a low-UA diet and advice to drink much more water in these patients.