Subcutaneous sumatriptan in acute treatment of migraine: a multicentre New Zealand trial
Thomson, A.N.; Arthur, G.P.; Bergin, P.S.; Pollock, M.; Parkin, P.J.; Flanagan, M.; Samson, S.A.
New Zealand Medical Journal 106(955): 171-173
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-8446 PMID: 8389026 Document Number: 1231
Aim: To assess the effectiveness of subcutaneous sumatriptan (4 mg) in the acute treatment of migraine. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study was conducted in four New Zealand centers. On developing an acute attack of migraine, patients attended a centre where they were given either sumatriptan 4 mg or placebo by subcutaneous injection. Headache severity and clinical disability were measured over a 2 hour period. Results: Fifty-one patients, aged 19-58 years with common or classical migraine were treated. Twenty-eight patients received 4 mg sumatriptan and 23 patients received placebo. Pretreatment headache severity was graded moderate in 76% and severe in 24%. Thirty-two percent of patients were sufficiently disabled to require bed rest and a further 48% had severe impairment of working ability. Sumatriptan was significantly more effective than placebo in relieving or reducing headache severity after 30 minutes. Sixty-four percent improved on sumatriptan compared to 27% on placebo. Functional disability, nausea, vomiting and photophobia were also greatly reduced. Adverse effects occurred in 17% of patients receiving placebo, and 82% receiving sumatriptan, the commonest being injection site reactions. Conclusion: Subcutaneous sumatriptan 4 mg is an effective and well-tolerated acute treatment in adult patients with moderate to severe common or classical migraine. The efficacy rate of 64% is lower than that found in recent controlled studies using a higher dose.
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