neurostabilizer

plural neurostabilizers

1. medicineA substance that helps to stabilize the neural or neurological function of the nervous system; especially, an antiepileptic medication.

   Although divalproex and topiramate are anticonvulsants, they are more properly termed neurostabilizers when used for migraine prophylaxis.

   2008, Richard G. Wenzel, “Migraine-preventive medications: ensuring their appropriate use”, in J Am Pharm Assoc, volume 48, number 5, →DOI, →PMID, page e107-e120

   2 more examples

   Antiepileptic Drugs / The utility of anticonvulsants in migraine prophylaxis was discovered because both epilepsy and migraine are episodic disorders of the central nervous system that are often comorbid and share certain symptoms. However, when used for migraine prophylaxis, these agents may be more properly described as neurostabilizers.

   2005, Andrew Blumenfeld, “Clinical approaches to migraine prophylaxis”, in Am J Manag Care, volume 11, numbers 2 suppl (New Approaches for the Management and Treatment of Migraine), →PMID, retrieved 20 May 2023, page S55-S61

   Recent studies have demonstrated that some neurostabilizers (i.e. antiepileptics) are effective monotherapies for migraine prevention. Topiramate (TPM), a neuromodulatory compound with stabilizing properties, has been demonstrated in several large, randomized, placebo-controlled trials to be an effective and generally well-tolerated migraine preventive therapy and is approved in the UK and many other countries for migraine prevention.

   2006, JS Brown, G Papadopoulos, PJ Neumann, et al., “Cost-effectiveness of migraine prevention: the case of topiramate in the UK”, in Cephalalgia, volume 26, number 12, →DOI, →PMID, pages 1473–1482