Triptans for migraine management in adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To review triptan efficacy and tolerability data for adolescent migraine sufferers to assist clinicians in selecting triptans for this age group.


BACKGROUND
Migraine is a common cause of headache among adolescents. To date, no medications, including those with proven headache relief in adults, have been approved for treatment of migraine in adolescents.


METHODS
Recent triptan clinical trials conducted in adolescent migraine sufferers 12 to 17 years of age were reviewed and results were summarized.


RESULTS
The success of individual triptan clinical trials conducted in adolescent appears related to time to treatment (1.9 to 6 hours), placebo response (25% to 57%), and day of the week (weekday versus weekend). Overall, triptan tolerability in adolescents is similar to that reported in adults.


CONCLUSIONS
Study results suggest that the triptan class of antimigraine drugs may effectively alleviate migraine in adolescents. Future research should address placebo response and earlier treatment paradigms.
Winner
Paul
P
Premier Research Institute, Palm Beach Headache Center, West Palm Beach, Florida 33407, USA.
D000293:Adolescent; D006801:Humans; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists