In this international, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single attack study, 'triptan naive' migraine patients were randomized in an 8:8:1 ratio to receive zolmitriptan 5 mg, sumatriptan 100 mg or placebo. The all-treated analysis included 1058 patients who took study medication. The primary endpoint, complete headache response, was reported by 39%, 38% and 32% of patients treated...

BACKGROUND The cost-effectiveness of triptans in the treatment of migraine has not been assessed since generic sumatriptan entered the Finnish market in 2008. METHODS Using systematic review and mixed treatment comparison, the effectiveness of triptans was estimated with regard to 2-hour response, 2-hour pain-free, recurrence, and any adverse event, using published clinical data. Direct and i...

1. It has previously been shown that the antimigraine drug sumatriptan constricts porcine carotid arteriovenous anastomoses via 5-HT1-like receptors, identical to 5-H1B/1D receptors. The recent availability of silent antagonists selective for the 5-HT1B (SB224289) and 5-HT1D (BRL15572) receptor led us to further analyse the nature of receptors involved. 2. In pentobarbitone-anaesthetized, bilat...

Serotonin is a naturally occurring “messenger” protein that is found primarily in the gastrointestinal system, certain blood cells (platelets) and the central nervous system (brain and brain stem). Abnormal activity of this messenger protein has been implicated in both migraine and depression, and medications that modify serotonin can be effective in treating both disorders. Such medications in...

OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy of 20 mg of IV metoclopramide, given up to four times over 2 hours as needed for persistent headache, with 6 mg of subcutaneous sumatriptan for the emergency department treatment of migraine headaches. METHODS This was a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial with two intervention arms. The primary endpoint was change in pain intensity as measured by an 11-...

BACKGROUND During the interdigestive state in humans, erythromycin 40 mg induces a premature activity front that starts in the stomach, while erythromycin 200 mg induces a prolonged period of enhanced antral contractile activity. AIMS To study the involvement of a cholinergic pathway in the motor effects of erythromycin using the muscarinic antagonist atropine and the neural 5-HT1 receptor ag...

OBJECTIVE To describe a patient who developed reversible segmental cerebral arterial vasospasm and cerebral infarction while taking excessive amounts of sumatriptan succinate and a combination drug (Midrin) consisting of isometheptene mucate, 65 mg, dichloralphenazone, 100 mg, and acetaminophen, 325 mg. DESIGN Case report. SETTING Tertiary care center. PATIENT A 43-year-old man who develo...