Migraine prevention drug trial in kids halted early
NCT ID NCT04050293
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested a drug called SPN-538 to prevent migraines in children aged 6 to 11. The trial was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, meaning some children got the drug and some got a placebo. However, the study was terminated early and only enrolled 26 participants, so we cannot draw firm conclusions about its effectiveness or safety.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- SPN-538 (a drug to prevent migraines)
- What this could lead to
- If it worked, this could offer a new option to reduce migraine frequency in young children.
- What could go wrong
- The trial was terminated early with very few participants, so results are limited and may not be reliable. It is unclear if SPN-538 is safe or effective for this age group.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 4
Runs after approval, following long-term safety and how well the treatment works in everyday use.
- Participants
-
26 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Jul 2020
- Finished
-
Mar 2023
- Lead sponsor
-
A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
6 to 11 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Otherwise, healthy male or female (6 to 11 years of age at the time of screening) with a history of migraine with or without aura for at least 6 months prior to screening, 3-12 migraine episodes and no more than 14 headache days (migraine and non-migraine) per month during the 3 months prior to Screening and during the 28-day Prospective Baseline Period, a PedMIDAS Disability score of ≥20 and ≤139 and weight at least 20 kg and no more than 60 kg. Exclusion Criteria: * Subjects with chronic migraine (\>14 headache days per month), cluster headaches, or migraine aura without headache and who are unable to distinguish migraines from other headache types. * Subjects with more than 14 headache days during the 28-day Prospective Baseline Period * Have taken any disallowed migraine preventive medication including TPM within 14 days prior to the start of the Prospective Baseline Period; or used onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox®) within 3 months prior to Screening. * Failure to respond to topiramate prophylaxis therapy (2 to 3 mg/kg/day) for a minimum of 3 months, or those who have previously discontinued TPM due to AEs within 6 months prior to Screening. * Failure to more than 2 adequate clinical trials of an established prophylactic antimigraine regimen within 6 months prior to Screening. * Current use of antipsychotics, antimanics, barbiturates, benzodiazepines amitriptyline, lithium, valproic acid, tricyclic antidepressants, AEDs, calcium channel blockers, sedatives, SSRIs, NSRIs, CGRP receptor antagonists, CBD oil, herbal preparations/supplements such as feverfew or St John's wort and/or any medications that could impair or decrease thinking and concentration. * Overuse of analgesic or migraine-specific agents for acute treatment of migraine (\>10 treatment days/month of ergot-containing medications or triptans; or \>15 treatment days/month with simple analgesics (including non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs \[NSAIDs\]), or use of narcotics. * Use of non-pharmacologic complementary and alternative prophylactic approaches for migraine prevention, such as neuromodulation, acupuncture, behavioral interventions, spinal manipulation, occipital nerve block and neurofeedback. * Diagnosis of psychiatric disorder (e.g., psychosis, bipolar disorder, major depression, generalized anxiety disorders), or documented developmental delays or impairments (e.g., autism, cerebral palsy, or mental retardation). * Subjects with seizures or a history of seizure-like events. * Known history of visual field defects, neurological disorder or structural disorder of the brain from birth; head trauma or previous CNS surgery. * Evidence of active suicidal ideation and/or suicidal behaviors 6 months before screening, pregnancy, active liver disease or abnormal kidney function.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
CNS Healthcare
Memphis, Tennessee, 38119, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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