Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the effect of different migraine prophylaxis medications on subject responsiveness to almotriptan.

BACKGROUND:

There is evidence supporting an increase of responsiveness of symptomatic medications for migraine attacks by some prophylactic treatments although this has not been probed.

METHODS:

A total of 345 patients (230 women, mean age 37.3) with episodic or chronic migraine were classified according to the prophylaxis they were taking in the following groups: (1) no prophylactic medication; (2) propranolol; (3) topiramate; (4) flunarizine. Decrease in Analogical Visual Scale and pain-free at 2 hours after almotriptan intake was assessed at 2 months. Side effects and discontinuation or treatment were also assessed.

RESULTS:

Headache severity was reduced 4.2 in control group, 5.3 in propranolol group, 4.1 in topiramate group, and 4.0 in flunarizine group, whereas pain-free status was achieved in 37.3%, 48.7%, 36.1%, and 38.1% respectively. These two parameters were statistically significative between propranolol and control groups. Side effects were similar in all groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our results displayed a higher efficacy of almotriptan in propranolol group and we hypothesized it may be due to a common mechanism of action at serotoninergic receptors.