Zolmitriptan (Zomig, 311C90), a novel dual central and peripheral 5HT1B/1D agonist: an overview of efficacy.
The efficacy of zolmitriptan (Zomig, 311C90), a 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT)1B/1D receptor agonist, in the acute oral treatment of migraine was evaluated in an extensive clinical trial program. Four randomized, placebo-controlled studies (total 2480 patients) were performed; data from two of these trials established that a 2.5 mg dose was on the shoulder of the dose-response curve (2-h headache response rate 64%), showing similar efficacy to the 5 mg dose (67%). In this program, the efficacy of zolmitriptan was not influenced by the pretreatment headache duration; the presence of aura preceding the headache, migraine associated with menses or migraine upon awakening; or by concomitant use of oral contraceptives or antidepressants. In addition, zolmitriptan 5 mg proved consistently effective in the treatment of multiple migraine attacks for up to 1 year. Zolmitriptan reduced the incidence of nausea, photophobia and phonophobia, reduced impairment of normal activity and demonstrated positive effects on patients' quality of life. Thus, zolmitriptan is a highly effective acute oral antimigraine therapy, with 2.5 mg providing the optimal balance between efficacy and tolerability.
Schoenen
J
J
University Department of Neurology, CHR Citadelle, Liege, Belgium. Schoenen.j@innet.be
Sawyer
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008598:Menstruation / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009325:Nausea / Q000188:drug therapy; D010080:Oxazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023303:Oxazolidinones; D012008:Recurrence; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018170:Sumatriptan / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014363:Tryptamines
D010080:Oxazoles; D023303:Oxazolidinones; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D014363:Tryptamines; C089750:zolmitriptan; D018170:Sumatriptan