Prevention of migraine during prodrome with naratriptan.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the role of naratriptan in preventing migraine headache when administered during prodrome.


METHODS
Baseline phase: patients recorded prodrome symptoms and time of onset, time when patient knew that headache was inevitable, time of onset and severity of headache. Treatment phase: patients given naratriptan 2.5 mg to take at the time they knew headache was inevitable. Patients recorded prodrome symptoms and time of onset, time they knew headache was inevitable, time naratriptan administered, time of onset and severity of any headache. Patients treated three prodromes separated by at least 48 h.


RESULTS
Twenty patients completed both phases. During baseline phase, 59 prodromes were reported and all were followed by headache. Severity of headache: 5% mild, 51% moderate, 44% severe. During treatment phase, 63 prodromes were reported. Of these, 38/63 (60%) were not followed by headache. Among headaches that occurred, the majority occurred within 2 h of naratriptan administration, suggesting that naratriptan is more effective in preventing headache if taken early in prodrome. Severity of 25 headaches: 44% mild, 24% moderate, 32% severe.


CONCLUSIONS
Naratriptan 2.5 mg appears to prevent migraine headache when given early in prodrome. If headache occurs, severity appears to be reduced.
Luciani
R
R
Albuquerque Clinic for Pain, Stress and Health Rehabilitation, New Mexico, USA.
Carter
D
D
Mannix
L
L
Hemphill
M
M
Diamond
M
M
Cady
R
R
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020325:Migraine with Aura / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010880:Piperidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014363:Tryptamines
D007211:Indoles; D010880:Piperidines; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D014363:Tryptamines; C106783:naratriptan