Clopidogrel as prophylactic treatment for migraine: a pilot randomised, controlled study.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Anecdotal reports suggest that clopidogrel may prevent migraine attacks. We undertook a pilot randomised trial.

METHOD:

We randomised consecutive migraineurs with four to 15 headache days per 28-day month to receive clopidogrel 75 mg or placebo daily for three months. Headache was primarily assessed with a headache diary.

RESULTS:

There were no statistically significant treatment effects. The number of headache days fell by 1.9 on clopidogrel and 1.6 on placebo (adjusted difference 0.02, CI -2.07 to 2.12). Headache severity rose by 0.14 points (out of 10) on clopidogrel, and fell by 0.63 on placebo; treatment effect 0.7 points (CI -0.11 to 1.57). The main treatment effect did not depend on the presence or absence of migraine with aura at baseline, a patent foramen ovale (PFO) or atrial septal aneurysm.

DISCUSSION:

The evidence is inconclusive, but a multicentre trial would be feasible recruiting from primary care.

• Authors: John B Chambers, Paul T Seed, Leone Ridsdale
• Journal: Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache (Cephalalgia) Vol. 34 Issue 14 Pg. 1163-8 (Dec 2014) ISSN: 1468-2982 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 24836213 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © International Headache Society 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.

Chemical References

• Purinergic P2Y Receptor Antagonists
• Clopidogrel
• Ticlopidine

Topics

• Adult
• Clopidogrel
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Migraine Disorders (prevention & control)
• Pilot Projects
• Purinergic P2Y Receptor Antagonists (therapeutic use)
• Ticlopidine (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome