Danilov AB, Danilov AB, Kurushina OV, Shestel EA, Zhivolupov SA, Latysheva NV. Safety and Efficacy of Melatonin in Chronic Tension-Type Headache: A Post-Marketing Real-World Surveillance Program.
Pain Ther 2020;
9:741-750. [PMID:
33067764 PMCID:
PMC7648782 DOI:
10.1007/s40122-020-00207-y]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Tension-type headache (TTH) is the most prevalent primary headache. Every year, about 2-3% of patients with TTH progress to chronic TTH with daily or near-daily headache, warranting preventive treatment. The treatment of chronic TTH is complex and very often associated with significant tolerability issues. To date, melatonin has been studied in only a few small uncontrolled trials. The aim of this surveillance program was to evaluate the efficacy of melatonin (Melaxen®) in patients with TTH and disruption of circadian rhythms in real-world practice.
METHODS
Sixty-one patients with chronic TTH were enrolled. After the 30-day baseline period, patients took 3 mg of melatonin at bedtime for 30 days with a follow-up period of another 30 days. VAS pain intensity assessments, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), HIT-6 and Levin sleep quality scores were obtained at the baseline visit, at month 1, and month 2.
RESULTS
A significant decrease in the number of headache days per month, VAS pain intensity, HAM-A, HAM-D and HIT-6 scores, and an improvement in sleep quality were observed throughout the study. No treatment-emergent adverse events were reported.
CONCLUSIONS
Melatonin is an effective and safe alternative for the treatment of chronic TTH.
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