Subcutaneous sumatriptan in acute treatment of migraine: a multicentre New Zealand trial.

Abstract

AIM:

To assess the effectiveness of subcutaneous sumatriptan (4 mg) in the acute treatment of migraine.

METHODS:

A randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled study was conducted in four New Zealand centres. 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.

• Authors: A N Thomson, G P Arthur, P S Bergin, M Pollock, P J Parkin, M Flanagan, S A Samson
• Journal: The New Zealand medical journal (N Z Med J) Vol. 106 Issue 955 Pg. 171-3 (May 12 1993) ISSN: 0028-8446 [Print] New Zealand
• PMID: 8389026 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Indoles
• Sulfonamides
• Vasoconstrictor Agents
• Sumatriptan

Topics

• Adult
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Indoles (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Injections, Subcutaneous
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Migraine Disorders (drug therapy)
• Sulfonamides (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Sumatriptan
• Treatment Outcome
• Vasoconstrictor Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)