Blood flow velocity and pulsatility index differences in patients with unilateral migraine

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate blood flow velocity and pulsatility in unilateral migraine without aura during the headache-free period using transcranial Doppler (TCD) sonography.

METHODS

Patients with unilateral headache were recruited during the headache-free period. Maximum mean flow velocity (MFV) and pulsatility index (PI) were measured in the middle cerebral (MCA) and basilar arteries. Controls were headache-free individuals without cerebrovascular disease.

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients with right-sided migraine, 25 patients with left-sided migraine, and 19 controls were studied. The MCA PI was higher on the right headache side versus the left headache side (0.97 +/- 0.2 versus 0.86 +/- 0.1 cm/s, P =.02) and versus controls (0.9 +/- 0.2 cm/s, NS). The basilar artery MFV was higher in patients with right-sided headache versus left-sided headache (39.5 +/- 5.6 versus 34.7 +/- 8.2 cm/s, P =.02) and versus controls (38.2 +/- 8 cm/s, NS). No decrease in MFV with age was observed in patients with migraine.

CONCLUSIONS

Middle cerebral artery flow pulsatility and basilar artery velocity are higher in patients with right-sided migraine compared with left-sided migraineurs, during the headache-free period. Although these parameters were similar to controls, the differences found during the headache-free period in migraineurs may indicate vascular involvement predisposing to the unilateral headache recurrence.

Efficacy of gabapentin in migraine prophylaxis

OBJECTIVE

To compare gabapentin with placebo for use as a prophylactic agent in patients with migraine (with or without aura). STUDY DESIGN AND TREATMENT: After screening, a 4-week, single-blind, placebo baseline period was followed by a 12-week, double-blind, treatment period. The 12-week treatment period consisted of a 4-week titration phase and an 8-week stable-dosing phase. During the 4-week titration phase, patients were started on one 300-mg capsule of gabapentin or matching placebo. Patients were titrated weekly from 900 mg/day (end of week 1) to 2400 mg/day (end of week 4) and had to be receiving a stable dose of study medication by the end of the titration period. Study medication was to be given on a three-times-a-day dosing regimen.

METHODS

The study hypothesis was defined a priori as a lower 4-week migraine rate during the second stabilization period for the gabapentin-treated patients as compared with the placebo-treated patients. The analyses were performed with the 4-week migraine rate at baseline as a covariate and center as a blocking factor.

RESULTS

At seven participating centers, 143 patients with migraine were randomized in a 2:1 ratio and received either gabapentin (n = 98) or matching placebo (n = 45). Thirty-three patients (24.1%) discontinued prematurely from the study, including 24 (24.5%) of 98 gabapentin-treated patients and 9 (20.0%) of 45 placebo-treated patients; the majority of patients discontinued due to adverse events (16 [16.3%] of 98 gabapentin-treated patients; 4 [8.9%] of 45 placebo-treated patients). Patients included in the analysis were evenly balanced for age, sex, race, weight, and height. The majority of these patients were white (80 [92.0%] of 87) and women (72 [82.8%] of 87), with a mean age of approximately 39.4 years and a history of migraine episodes for a mean of about 21 years. At the end of the 12-week treatment phase, the median 4-week migraine rate was 2.7 for the gabapentin-treated patients maintained on a stable dose of 2400 mg/day and 3.5 for the placebo-treated patients (P =.006), compared with 4.2 and 4.1, respectively, during the baseline period. Additionally, 26 (46.4%) of 56 patients receiving a stable dose of 2400 mg/day gabapentin and 5 (16.1%) of 31 patients receiving placebo showed at least a 50% reduction in the 4-week migraine rate (P =.008). The average number of days per 4 weeks with migraine was also statistically significant and favored gabapentin (P =.006) during stabilization period 2. The median change in 4-week headache rate was statistically significant as well (P =.013). The most frequently reported adverse events for both treatment groups were asthenia, dizziness, somnolence, and infection. Adverse events determined by the investigator to be associated with study drug resulted in patient withdrawal in 13 (13.3%) of 98 gabapentin-treated patients and 3 (6.7%) of 45 placebo-treated patients. Somnolence and dizziness accounted for many of the premature withdrawals among those taking gabapentin.

CONCLUSION

Gabapentin is an effective prophylactic agent for patients with migraine. In addition, gabapentin appears generally well tolerated with mild to moderate somnolence and dizziness.

Intravenous valproate sodium (depacon) aborts migraine rapidly: a preliminary report

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of intravenous valproate in the treatment of acute migraine attacks.

BACKGROUND

Numerous studies have shown oral valproate therapy to be effective in preventing migraine. To date, no published studies have explored the use of valproate in the acute treatment of migraine.

DESIGN/METHODS

After obtaining written informed consent, 61 patients presenting to a clinic with acute migraine were infused with 300 mg of intravenous valproate sodium. Sixty-six attacks were treated. The time at the beginning of infusion; the time at the end of infusion; the time to onset of relief of headache, nausea, and other associated symptoms; the time to meaningful relief; and the time to complete relief were recorded. Patient's pulse, blood pressure, and respiration were monitored. Adverse events were recorded.

RESULTS

Mean time to onset of relief was 8 minutes, mean time to meaningful relief was 16 minutes, and mean time to complete relief was 25 minutes. A reduction in pain from severe or moderate to mild or no pain in 30 minutes was reported in 37 of 66 attacks; in 11 attacks, a reduction of more than 50% in headache severity in 30 minutes was reported. Thus, 48 (73%) of 66 attacks had significant improvement. After treatment with valproate, headache severity was significantly decreased (P<.0001); nausea, disability, and photophobia decreased; and patients became more alert. No serious adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSION

Intravenous valproate appears to be safe and effective for the acute treatment of migraine. Double-blind, placebo-controlled studies to further investigate the use of this agent in acute treatment of migraine attacks are warranted.

Tolerability of sumatriptan: clinical trials and post-marketing experience

Through December 1998, sumatriptan had been used to treat more than 236 million migraine attacks world-wide. In clinical trials alone, more than 88000 migraine patients had treated more than 300000 migraine attacks with sumatriptan, and 2000 normal healthy volunteers had been exposed to the drug. This paper describes the safety and tolerability profile of sumatriptan in three sections: adverse events reported in clinical trials, special issues, and spontaneous post-marketing reports of adverse reactions. Data from the extensive clinical trials programme coupled with information from nearly 10 years of experience in clinical practice demonstrate that sumatriptan is generally well-tolerated, with an acceptable benefit-risk ratio when used properly. Significant cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events are rare but have been observed. This fact highlights the need for careful patient selection and vigilant adherence to the prescribing recommendations for sumatriptan. The wealth of clinical trials and post-marketing information for sumatriptan may be useful in guiding prescribing decisions for members of this class of drugs.

Treatment of nonresponders to oral sumatriptan with zolmitriptan and rizatriptan: a comparative open trial

In order to study the effect of zolmitriptan and rizatriptan in oral sumatriptan nonresponders (defined as lack of response in three or more of five attacks), 56 patients were studied in an open trial in a crossover fashion. Both zolmitriptan, 5 mg, and rizatriptan, 10 mg, were effective in the majority of sumatriptan nonresponders. The response to rizatriptan, 10 mg, appeared to be better than to zolmitriptan, 5 mg. Approximately 19% of sumatriptan nonresponders remained nonresponders to both zolmitriptan and rizatriptan.

Migraine and hypertension

Association between mild to moderate hypertension and headache is probably coincidental. Severe sustained hypertension, malignant hypertension and paroxysmal hypertension (sudden rise) are associated with severe headache. Transient hypertension can occur during an attack of migraine or cluster headache. Hypertension may increase the frequency and severity of migraine in migraineurs and may transform an episodic migraine into chronic daily headache. Concomitant treatment of hypertension is important in these patients.

Defining optimal dosing for sumatriptan tablets in the acute treatment of migraine

Oral sumatriptan, which is a well tolerated, effective acute treatment for migraine, and is selectively available in different countries in 100 mg, 50 mg, and 25 mg tablets. The first large dose-ranging study compared the 100 mg dose to higher doses (200 mg and 300 mg) and found it to be just as efficacious and better tolerated. The first studies comparing the 100 mg dose to lower doses (25 mg and 50 mg) found them all to be similar in effectiveness and tolerability. However, a larger definitive study found that the 100 mg and 50 mg doses offered better efficacy than the 25 mg dose, whereas the 25 mg and 50 mg doses were better tolerated than the 100 mg dose. Thus the 50 mg dose appears to offer the best ratio of efficacy to tolerability. Many patients, though, prefer or require the 100 mg dose and tolerate it well. Allowed to select dosing themselves, patients tend to migrate to the 100 mg dose.

Cluster headache

Cluster headache is characterized by regular periodicity, high frequency during a cluster period, relative brevity, and extreme intensity. Lancinations, as in trigeminal neuralgia, are rare. An important behavioral difference between migraine and cluster headache is that the patient is usually hyperactive during a cluster headache, whereas the migraineur retreats to a dark, quiet room. Cluster headache is more common in middle-aged men; migraine is more common in young women. Intermediate or overlap syndromes occur. Many of the same prophylactic and abortive treatments are effective in both, although in cluster headache there is a premium on rapid action.

Naratriptan is effective and well tolerated in the acute treatment of migraine. Results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. The Naratriptan S2WA3003 Study Group

The efficacy and tolerability of naratriptan tablets (2.5 mg, 1 mg, and 0.25 mg) compared with placebo in the acute treatment of migraine were evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, four-period crossover study. Five hundred eighty-six assessable patients received naratriptan 2.5 mg, 595 received 1 mg, 591 received 0.25 mg, 602 received placebo. Headache relief (moderate or severe pain reduced to mild or none) 4 hours postdose was reported in 68% of patients after treatment with naratriptan 2.5 mg compared with 57% after 1 mg, 39% after 0.25 mg, and 33% after placebo (p < 0.001 naratriptan 2.5 mg and 1 mg versus placebo and 1 mg and 2.5 mg versus 0.25 mg). Headache relief was maintained 8, 12, and 24 hours postdose with no use of rescue medication or a second dose of study medication by significantly (p < 0.001) greater percentages of patients after treatment with naratriptan 2.5 mg or 1 mg compared with naratriptan 0.25 mg or placebo. Naratriptan was also more effective than placebo in reducing clinical disability and the incidences of nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia. The overall incidence of adverse events and the incidences of specific adverse events did not differ in the naratriptan groups compared with placebo. No clinically relevant changes in ECG, blood pressure, or laboratory findings were reported. These data demonstrate that naratriptan is effective and well tolerated for the acute treatment of migraine. The 2.5-mg dose was associated with superior efficacy, whereas its adverse event profile was similar to that of placebo.

Ineffectiveness of neurokinin-1 antagonist in acute migraine: a crossover study

Lanepitant is a high-affinity, selective neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1) and is effective in the dural inflammation model of acute migraine. Lanepitant 30, 80, and 240 mg given orally was evaluated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study to determine its effect in reducing migraine pain and severity of associated symptoms. Outpatients treated four migraine headaches of moderate or severe pain intensity with study drug according to a randomization schedule. They recorded their pain intensity and severity of migraine-associated symptoms at 30, 60, 90, and 120 min. Although 53 patients were randomly allocated to a treatment sequence, only 40 patients completed all treatments. There was no statistically significant difference in improvement in migraine pain at any time for any of the treatments. Additionally, there was no change in severity of migraine-associated symptoms associated with lanepitant therapy. No adverse events could be attributed to lanepitant. Lanepitant was ineffective orally in treating acute migraine in this trial. This may be due to poor bioavailability during a migraine attack. Alternatively, the neurogenic inflammation hypothesis may not apply to migraine.

Optimizing the dose of zolmitriptan (Zomig, 311C90) for the acute treatment of migraine. A multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose range-finding study. The 017 Clinical Trial Study Group

This study investigated the efficacy of zolmitriptan (Zomig, formerly 311C90) in acute migraine therapy. Patients with a history of migraine were randomized in a double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled, dose range-finding study of oral zolmitriptan 1, 2.5, 5, or 10 mg versus placebo for the treatment of a severe or moderate migraine headache. Patients with persistent or recurrent headache 4 to 24 hours after the initial dose, who did not take escape medication, were eligible to receive a second blinded dose of either zolmitriptan or placebo. Of 1,144 patients treated, 999 evaluable patients completed the study. The headache response rates with zolmitriptan doses > or = 2.5 mg were 44 to 51% at 1 hour, 65 to 67% at 2 hours, and 75 to 78% at 4 hours (all significantly superior to placebo). Also, zolmitriptan effectively relieved migraine-associated symptoms such as nausea, photophobia and phonophobia, and reduced activity impairment. Rates of headache recurrence, headache persistence, and use of escape medication were lower with zolmitriptan doses > or = 2.5 mg than with placebo. In patients with persistent or recurrent headache, a second zolmitriptan dose effectively treated both headache and nonheadache symptoms. Zolmitriptan was well tolerated, with a lower incidence of adverse events being reported with doses < or = 2.5 mg than with those > or = 5 mg. Zolmitriptan is a well tolerated and effective acute migraine therapy providing rapid relief of migraine headache within 1 hour. A clear dose-response relationship between efficacy and tolerability suggests that 2.5 mg is the optimal initial dose for the acute treatment of a migraine attack.

Transformed migraine, analgesic rebound, and other chronic daily headaches

Although the International Headache Society's classification of headache has greatly enhanced the diagnosis of migraine and cluster headache, its application in chronic headache has been less than satisfactory. Based on a review of the literature and the author's experience, this article demonstrates the need for an expanded and modified classification and broader understanding of chronic headaches. The author proposes new categories, including transformed migraine. Analgesic rebound is described as a major cause of chronic headaches. The comorbidity of chronic headache disorders is also discussed. The article concludes with a suggestion for management of chronic headaches.

Serotonin 1D (5-HT1D) agonists and other agents in acute migraine

This article discusses the use of serotonin1D agonists in the treatment of acute migraine. Specifically, the author reviews the efficacy and safety of this class of drugs with sumatriptan as the main focus. Agents under clinical trial are also discussed. Recurrence of migraine, long-term usage, and side effects of serotonin1D agonists are included in the review. The article also discusses alternative medications, such as intranasal lidocraine, intravenous chlorpromazine, and intravenous prochlorperazine, for acute treatment of migraine. The limited role of narcotics and sedatives is also mentioned.

Dosing and administration of ergotamine tartrate and dihydroergotamine

Ergotamine tartrate (ET) and dihydroergotamine (DHE) are effective therapies for migraine and cluster headache. Optimal management with these agents must take several factors into account, including headache type and severity, associated symptoms, side effect potential, choice of dosage forms, and appropriate dosing. Oral ET is most appropriate for slowly evolving migraine without early onset nausea and/or vomiting, or for treatment of cluster headaches. Delivery of ET via rectal suppository (available only in combination with caffeine) is the most effective form, especially for patients with severe, rapid onset migraine accompanied by nausea and/or vomiting. Dihydroergotamine offers numerous benefits compared to ET, including a lower incidence of nausea and vomiting and headache recurrence, and a lack of rebound headache. Dihydroergotamine can be administered at any time during a migraine attack, including the aura. Intravenous administration provides rapid peak plasma levels and is the most effective form when a rapid effect is desired or for patients with intractable severe headache (status migrainosus, transformed migraine, rebound headache) and cluster headache. Intramuscular administration is effective for moderate to severe migraine with or without nausea and vomiting in the clinic. Intranasal delivery of DHE has shown significant promise for effective and convenient therapy in acute migraine and may be especially useful in the presence of nausea and/or vomiting. When used appropriately, DHE and ET provide clinicians with highly effective therapeutic options in a range of useful dosage forms for patients with migraine or cluster headaches.

Serotonin syndrome complicating migraine pharmacotherapy

Serotonin syndrome, a condition with numerous clinical neurological manifestations, is the result of central serotonergic hyperstimulation. Features of the syndrome include mental status and behavioral changes (agitation, excitement, hypomania, obtundation), motor system involvement (myoclonus, hemiballismus, tremor, hyperreflexia, motor weakness, dysarthria, ataxia) and autonomic symptoms (fever, chills, diarrhea). Serotonin syndrome has been reported exclusively in patients on medications for psychiatric illness and Parkinsonism, despite the fact that the putative action of many antimigraine agents also involves the serotonin system. We herein report six patients with migraine who developed symptoms suggestive of the serotonin syndrome. Five were taking one or more serotomimetic agents for migraine prophylaxis (sertraline, paroxetine, lithium, imipramine, amitriptyline). In each case the symptoms and signs developed in close temporal proximity with use of a migraine abortive agent known to interact with serotonin receptors. In three instances the agent was subcutaneous sumatriptan and, in three, intravenous dihydroergotamine. In each instance the symptoms were transient and there was full recovery. With the ever increasing use of migraine medications active at serotonin receptor sites, cases of serotonin syndrome will likely occur more frequently. It is important that physicians treating migraine are aware of the serotonin syndrome and are able to recognize its varying presentations.

Coexistence of migraine and idiopathic intracranial hypertension without papilledema

Eighty-five patients with refractory transformed migraine type of chronic daily headache (CDH) had spinal tap as a part of diagnostic work-up. Twelve had increased intracranial pressure without papilledema, transient visual obscurations, or visual field defects. The headache profile of these 12 patients was not different from that of transformed migraine type of CDH. Acute headache exacerbations responded to specific antimigraine agents such as ergotamine, dihydroergotamine (DHE), and sumatriptan, whereas prophylactic antimigraine medications were only partially helpful. Addition of agents such as acetazolamide and furosemide, after the diagnosis of increased intracranial pressure, resulted in better control of symptoms. These observations suggest a link between migraine and idiopathic intracranial hypertension that needs further research. In refractory CDH with migrainous features, a spinal tap to exclude coexistent idiopathic intracranial hypertension without papilledema may be indicated.

Migraine prophylaxis with divalproex

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effectiveness and safety of divalproex sodium (Depakote) and placebo in the prophylaxis of migraine headache.

DESIGN

Multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled investigation, having a 4-week, single-blind placebo baseline phase and a 12-week treatment phase (4-week dose adjustment, 8-week maintenance).

SETTING

Eight headache/neurology clinics throughout the United States.

PATIENTS

One hundred seven patients randomized to divalproex or placebo (2:1 ratio): 70 receiving divalproex and 37 receiving placebo.

INTERVENTION

Divalproex and placebo dosages titrated in blinded fashion during dose adjustment period to achieve actual/sham trough valproate sodium concentrations of approximately 70 to 120 mg/L.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

During the treatment phase, the mean migraine headache frequency per 4 weeks was 3.5 in the divalproex group and 5.7 in the placebo group (p < or = .001), compared with 6.0 and 6.4, respectively, during the baseline phase. Forty-eight percent of divalproex-treated patients and 14% of placebo-treated patients showed a 50% or greater reduction in migraine headache frequency from the baseline phase (P < .001). Among those with migraine headaches, divalproex-treated patients reported significantly less functional restriction than placebo-treated patients and used significantly less symptomatic medication per episode. No significant treatment group differences were observed in average peak severity or duration of individual migraine headaches. Treatment was stopped in 13% of divalproex-treated patients and 5% of placebo-treated patients because of intolerance (P, not significant).

CONCLUSIONS

Divalproex is an effective prophylactic drug for patients with migraine headaches and is generally well tolerated.