Mixing sumatriptan: a prospective study of stratified care using multiple formulations.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the acceptability, utility, and tolerability of a system of stratified care of acute migraine using multiple formulations of sumatriptan.


BACKGROUND
Stratified care matches the treatment of a disease to its level of severity. Sumatriptan, with its multiple formulations, seems a logical option in a stratified care approach. Little data exists on the use of multiple formulations in a single patient population.


METHODS
A prospective, open-label, outpatient study recruited patients from a single center during the period from January 1998 through June 1998. Entry criteria included International Headache Society migraine diagnostic codes 1.1 or 1.2 and an established response to sumatriptan tablets or nasal spray. Patients who enrolled were allowed to use subcutaneous sumatriptan as either primary or rescue therapy for individual migraine attacks.


RESULTS
Two hundred eighteen (80%) of 273 patients on tablets and 40 (85%) of 47 patients on nasal spray enrolled. During a period of 6 months, 61% of the patients on tablets and 85% of the patients using the nasal spray used at least one subcutaneous dose of sumatriptan. This system was efficacious and well tolerated. The majority of injections were used as rescue treatments following a failed oral or nasal dose. Two percent withdrew due to lack of efficacy, and 6% withdrew due to adverse events; however, 92% professed satisfaction with subcutaneous sumatriptan as an available tool for migraine management.


CONCLUSIONS
A system of stratified care using multiple formulations of sumatriptan is efficacious, well tolerated, and preferable to a program involving a single form of the drug.
Kaniecki
R G
RG
University of Pittsburgh Headache Center, 120 Lytton Avenue, Suite 300, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA..
D000336:Aerosols; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018170:Sumatriptan / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013607:Tablets
D000336:Aerosols; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D013607:Tablets; D018170:Sumatriptan