The methods used presently for abortion of the attacks of
migraine and
cluster headache are not fully satisfactory which causes that the search for new
therapies is continuing. Although the mechanism of
migraine attacks remains unexplained, it is thought that an important role in it is played by
serotonin receptors, vasodilation in certain regions and opening of arteriovenous communications in the head.
Sumatriptan is an agonist of 5-HT1 -like receptors and exerts a selective vasoconstricting effect on the arteries of the head, particularly in the rami of the carotid artery. In 1988 the first reports appeared on the effectiveness of the
drug in
migraine attacks. In the following years extensive, multicentre and international studies of the
drug were carried out on over 600 healthy volunteers and nearly 6000 patients with
migraine. The studies demonstrated that
Sumatriptan was effective in abortion of
migraine attacks. After
oral administration of 100 mg or
subcutaneous injection of 6 mg in nearly 70% of cases the attack regressed or was greatly alleviated, similarly as other symptoms accompanying the
headache such as
photophobia,
nausea,
vomiting. Studies were undertaken also on the effectiveness of
Sumatriptan in
emergency treatment of
cluster headache, and good results were again achieved. The tolerance of the
drug is good, although in some cases side effects develop, usually transient and mild, among them tingling, feeling of pressure, heat or heaviness of the head or chest, taste change and burning sensation at the site of injection.
Sumatriptan, similarly as all novel drugs, requires caution in its use, particularly in patients with
coronary heart disease and
hypertension, and also in old patients. As yet, the use of the
drug in paediatric
migraine or in pregnancy is not recommended.