As per the outcomes of a randomized trial published in The Journal of Headache and Pain, magnesium could help boost the anti-migraine characteristics of sodium valproate when used in a combination therapy and decrease the needed dose of valproate for migraine prophylaxis.

To estimate the effectiveness of combination therapy- magnesium and sodium valproate, Samira Khani et al. included migraine patients aged 18 to 65 years. These patients with a minimum of 4 attacks in a month were divided into:

• Group A (with 82 patients) using sodium valproate therapy;
• Group B (with 70 patients) using magnesium and sodium valproate combination therapy; and
• Group C (with 70 patients) using magnesium therapy therapy

At each monthly visit, migraine features, like frequency, severity, period of the attacks, and monthly analgesic usage was noted.

In groups A, B and C, a substantial decrease in all migraine features compared to those reported at the starting point was observed. Other than headache frequency, the other three parameters revealed a noteworthy decrease in group B than group A in the 3rd month.

Additionally, after 3 months, the scores of Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6) and Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) considerably decreased in the three groups than those reported at the starting point, with more noteworthy changes in groups A and B as compared to group C as shown in the below figure:

As concluded, this new drug combination can be used as a more effective and safe treatment for migraine prophylaxis.