Evaluation of migraineurs' preferences for naratriptan over conventional first-line agents.
OBJECTIVE
To assess patient satisfaction with and preference for naratriptan hydrochloride therapy over previous "nontriptan" therapy for migraines.


METHODS
Open-label study conducted at 15 primary care clinics.


METHODS
One hundred forty-three adults meeting International Headache Society diagnostic criteria for migraine who were not using triptans as first-line therapy for migraines were enrolled; 115 completed the study. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME ASSESSMENTS: At baseline, satisfaction with current migraine therapy was assessed. Patients were provided with naratriptan hydrochloride, 2.5 mg, to treat 3 migraines and diaries to record headache symptoms and response to treatment. After treating 3 migraines, satisfaction with naratriptan therapy and preference for either previous or naratriptan therapy were assessed.


RESULTS
Eighty-nine (62%) of 143 patients had previous exposure to triptans, with lack of prescribing (55%) as the primary reason for not continuing their use as first-line therapy. Medications used for first-line therapy included simple analgesics (59%), combination products (46%), and narcotics (13%). After treating 3 migraines with naratriptan, satisfaction with migraine therapy increased from 47% to 75%. Sixty-three percent of patients preferred naratriptan therapy over their previous nontriptan therapy, 27% preferred their previous therapy, and 10% had no preference. The main reasons for preference for naratriptan therapy were "relieves pain effectively" (86%) and "restores ability to function/perform task" (81%).


CONCLUSIONS
Naratriptan for first-line migraine therapy was preferred by most patients over previous nontriptan therapy.
Headache Care Center, Springfield, MO 65804, USA.
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010880:Piperidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014363:Tryptamines; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D007211:Indoles; D010880:Piperidines; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D014363:Tryptamines; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; C106783:naratriptan