There are several types of migraines, and at different times a person can experience more than one type. The two most common are migraines without aura and migraines with aura.

• Migraine without Aura

  This is the most typical form of migraine attack, once called a "common migraine." It can last for hours or days and begin at any time of the day. A person may have only a few of these attacks in a lifetime or up to several each week.

  Migraines without aura may affect only one side of the head and cause a medium to severe throbbing pain. The pain is often made worse by routine physical activity.

  During the headache, the person may have nausea and/or vomiting and may be highly sensitive to light or sound.

• Migraine with Aura

  Once known as a "classic migraine," this type affects about 20% of persons with migraines. It moves through several phases, including a prodrome, the aura, headache itself, and postdrome.

  Prodrome

  About 60% of persons who suffer from migraines with aura experience a prodrome phase before a migraine attack. The term comes from Greek meaning "coming before an event."

  Symptoms of the prodrome, which can come hours or even days before a migraine attack, are different for each person. They can include the following:

  • Emotional changes, such as irritability or depression
  • Strange smells
  • Sensitivity to light or sound
  • Yawning and drowsiness
  • Increased thirst and frequent urination
  • Food cravings.

  Aura

  The aura usually occurs just before or during the headache. The most common symptoms of an aura are visual disturbances. These can include jagged, shimmering or flashing specks of light, a blind spot in a particular area, and distorted images, such as objects appearing smaller than they really are.

  Body movements (motor symptoms) or speech may be affected because of an aura. Also, there might be strange sensations in the hands and mouth.

  A typical aura lasts less than an hour (generally 5 to 20 minutes) but can continue much longer. In some cases, an aura can occur without the headache, but this event is still considered a migraine attack.

  Headache

  Although the migraine with aura type of headache most commonly occurs on one side of the head, it can shift from one side to the other. The pain is often described as intense, throbbing, pulsating, and stabbing.

  The person may not feel like eating or become nauseated, and may even vomit. Vision may blur, and the person may grow light-headed and have difficulty concentrating. In some cases, the person's skin may generally grow pale, although hands/feet may get cold and turn slightly blue.

  Migraines with aura can occur several times a month, but not on a predictable, regular basis, and may possibly disappear for some months and then return.

  Postdrome

  During this period, which follows the migraine headache, the pain gradually goes away. People may experience a wide range of symptoms at this time, often including fatigue and loss of appetite.

Depakote and Depakote ER are indicated for prophylaxis (prevention) of migraine headaches in adults.

Click Here for Uses and Important Safety Information

Click Here for Full Prescribing Information