Abstract | BACKGROUND: Subcutaneous (SQ) sumatriptan 6 mg is effective in the treatment of acute cluster headache attacks. However, patients sometimes benefit from a dose less than 6 mg. OBJECTIVE: Therefore, we designed a prospective open study to evaluate how many patients benefit from a dose less than 6 mg SQ sumatriptan. METHODS: We enrolled 81 consecutive patients with cluster headache and recorded their use of SQ sumatriptan and oxygen. Patients regularly using SQ sumatriptan 6 mg were advised to treat attacks with doses less than 6 mg and with oxygen. Efficacy and side effects of the different treatment options (6 mg, 3 mg, 2 mg, and oxygen) were evaluated. RESULTS: As a result, 74% of the patients using SQ sumatriptan 3 mg showed efficacy and 89% reported efficacy after 2 mg. Seventy-nine percent reported side effects after the use of SQ sumatriptan 6 mg (29% severe side effects). After the use of 2 mg SQ sumatriptan, only 50% of the patients reported side effects, none of these were classified as severe. Patients' preference was 41% for 6 mg sumatriptan, 28% for doses less than 6 mg, and 31% for oxygen. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that sumatriptan in doses less than 6 mg can be effective in the acute treatment of cluster headache attacks. We suggest that patients should have experience in their individual efficacy of sumatriptan doses less than 6 mg.
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Authors | Nora Gregor, Christian Schlesiger, Esra Akova-Oztürk, Christoffer Kraemer, Ingo-Wilhelm Husstedt, Stefan Evers |
Journal | Headache
(Headache)
Vol. 45
Issue 8
Pg. 1069-72
(Sep 2005)
ISSN: 0017-8748 [Print] United States |
PMID | 16109122
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Serotonin Receptor Agonists
- Sumatriptan
- Oxygen
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Topics |
- Acute Disease
- Administration, Inhalation
- Adult
- Cluster Headache
(drug therapy)
- Combined Modality Therapy
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Female
- Humans
- Injections, Subcutaneous
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Oxygen
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Prospective Studies
- Serotonin Receptor Agonists
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Sumatriptan
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Treatment Outcome
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