BACKGROUND Both animal and clinical studies have implicated serotonergic dysfunction in the pathogenesis of alcohol abuse and dependence. However the exact mechanisms involved remain unknown. Theoretically, low serotonin promotes alcohol seeking behavior. Sumatriptan is a serotonin1D agonist. It is postulated that sumatriptan's agonism at this terminal autoreceptor increases negative feedback, ...

STUDY OBJECTIVE Intravenous (IV) prochlorperazine with diphenhydramine is superior to subcutaneous sumatriptan in the treatment of migraine patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). METHODS In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, after providing written informed consent, patients presenting to the ED with a chief complaint of migraine received a 500-mL bolus of...

1. The 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT1)-like agonist, sumatriptan, is highly efficient in the relief of migraine headache and its accompanying symptoms. 2. Experimental evidence has indicated that its site of action may be on the cranial vessels or on the trigeminal innervation of the cranium, or both, since sumatriptan does not pass the blood-brain barrier easily under normal circumstances. It is, ...

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is involved in the underlying pathophysiology of all vascular headaches, including migraines. Elevated levels of CGRP during migraine are restored to normal coincident with headache relief after treatment with the antimigraine drug sumatriptan. We have used primary cultures of trigeminal neurons under conditions simulating migraine pathology and therapy to...

Subcutaneous sumatriptan is an effective treatment for pain from acute migraine headache, and can be used in patients with known migraine syndrome and in patients with primary headaches when secondary causes have been excluded. In limited comparative trials, subcutaneous sumatriptan performed in a manner comparable with oral eletriptan and intravenous metoclopramide, was superior to intravenous...

1. Rizatriptan (MK-462, (N,N-dimethyl-2-[5-(1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)-1H-indol-3-yl] ethylamine)) and its structurally related analogue L-741,519 (N-methyl-4-[5-(1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-1H-indol-3-yl]piperidine) are novel 5-HT1D-receptor agonists. Rizatriptan has shown efficacy as an anti-migraine agent in clinical trials. Since angiographic studies in patients have shown that sumatriptan (an estab...

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to directly compare the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of 22-mg sumatriptan powder delivered intranasally with a novel Breath Powered™ device (11 mg in each nostril) vs a 20-mg sumatriptan liquid nasal spray, a 100-mg oral tablet, and a 6-mg subcutaneous injection. BACKGROUND A prior PK study found that low doses of sumatriptan powder delivered intranasa...

We report the case of a 49-year-old lady with cluster headache, who had received sumatriptan s.c. treatment for 15 years with daily dosages between 12 and 222 mg (average of 150 mg during the last year). The therapy was successful in aborting CH attacks. Long-term overdosage of sumatriptan was well tolerated, without adverse events.

BACKGROUND Migraine headaches result in significant patient suffering and high costs to managed care organizations and employers. Studies that evaluate patient outcomes and the financial consequences of migraine treatment are important from a clinical and an economic perspective. METHODS This prospective, observational study assessed the outcomes of migraineurs in a mixed model staff/ indepen...

This study characterizes the sumatriptan-sensitive [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)(1B/1D)] receptor in rabbit saphenous vein and basilar artery. (S)-(-)-1-[2-[4-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-ethyl]isochroman-6-carboxylic acid methylamide (PNU-109291), a 5-HT(1D) subtype-selective agonist (human K(i) = 2.5 +/- 0.07 nM), did not contract either tissue, whereas o-methoxyphenylpiperazide derivativ...