Treatment of migraine attacks with sumatriptan

Article Abstract:

Migraine headaches are characterized by severe, pulsating pain and are often associated with nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. They affect a large number of people and can severely impair the quality of life of sufferers. None of the available treatments is highly effective and all can cause side effects. Serotonin is a hormone that acts as a vasoconstrictor (narrows blood vessels) and is found in high concentrations in the central nervous system. Drugs that have some effectiveness against migraines work by activating receptors for serotonin. Sumatriptan interacts with these receptors and helps block the dilatation (widening) of blood vessels that seems to be associated with migraines. The effectiveness and side effects of sumatriptan administered subcutaneously (under the skin) were assessed. This route of administration was chosen because nausea and vomiting often occur when sumatriptan is taken by mouth. A total of 639 people who suffered from migraines were treated during at least one attack. A subcutaneous injection of 6 milligrams of sumatriptan was given to 423 subjects; an 8 milligram dose was given to 106 subjects; and 110 received a placebo. After 60 minutes, subjects without headache received no further treatment, and those still having pain received either sumatriptan or placebo. Compared with subjects in the placebo group, 47 percent more people who received the 6 milligram dose of sumatriptan and 54 percent more people given the 8 milligram dose of the drug had less pain after 60 minutes. Two injections were given to 357 subjects. After 120 minutes, 81 percent of those treated with two 6 milligram doses of sumatriptan, 82 percent given 8 milligrams of sumatriptan initially and then a placebo, 75 percent given 6 milligrams of sumatriptan and then a placebo, and 30 percent given two injections of placebo reported relief in the severity of their headaches. Overall, 86 percent of the 511 subjects given some form of sumatriptan reported improvement, but only 37 percent of the placebo group felt better. Side effects were mild and short-lived. These results indicate that a single dose of sumatriptan at 6 milligrams or 8 milligrams, given subcutaneously, is both safe and effective in treating migraine attacks. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

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Treatment of acute cluster headache with sumatriptan

Article Abstract:

Cluster headache is characterized by recurrent attacks of brief, but intense headaches occurring over periods of several weeks or months. Because the attacks are brief in duration, an effective treatment must act quickly. Treatments presently used either have limited value or are impractical. The cause of this disorder is unknown, but because it is similar to migraine, it is thought that the hormone serotonin may be involved. Sumatriptan is a drug that is highly selective for serotonin receptors and has been shown to relieve the pain associated with migraine attacks. This study assessed whether sumatriptan is also effective in treating cluster headache. A subcutaneous (under the skin) injection of 6 milligrams of sumatriptan or a placebo was given to 49 people suffering from cluster headache. The subjects were treated for two attacks; in random order, they were given sumatriptan for one attack and placebo for the other. Results were available for 39 subjects. Sumatriptan reduced headache severity to grade 1 or 0 within 15 minutes of injection for 74 percent of the headaches, while such reductions were reported for only 26 percent of the headaches treated by the placebo. Reduction in headache severity was significantly greater after 10 minutes when sumatriptan was given than when placebo was given. Fifteen minutes after treatment, 46 percent of the subjects who received the drug and 10 percent of those given the placebo reported no pain. Oxygen had to be given to 49 percent of the placebo group and to 13 percent of the sumatriptan 15 minutes after treatment. Side effects from sumatriptan treatment were mild and short-lived. These findings indicate that sumatriptan is a safe and effective treatment for relieving cluster headache. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Cluster headache

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Sumatriptan-naproxen for acute treatment of migraine: A randomized trial

Article Abstract:

The efficacy and safety of a fixed-dose tablet containing sumatriptan succinate and naproxen sodium relative to efficacy was evaluated along with the safety of each monotherapy and placebo for the acute treatment of migraine. A single tablet of 85 mg sumatriptan plus 500 mg naproxen sodium for acute treatment of migraine resulted in more favorable clinical benefits compared with either monotherapy with an acceptable and well-tolerated adverse effect profile.

United States, Naproxen, Clinical report

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