The impact of an over-the-counter migraine medication program on quality of life.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to assess the health-related quality of life of patients treated with samples of an over-the-counter migraine medication.


BACKGROUND
Population-based epidemiologic studies have reported that over 90% of an estimated 28 million migraine sufferers in the United States use both prescription and nonprescription medications for their migraine headaches, with 60% taking over-the-counter medications exclusively. Despite the widespread use of nonprescription drugs, no published literature to date has assessed migraineurs' health-related quality of life associated with use of over-the-counter headache medication.


METHODS
This prospective and observational study evaluated the impact on health-related quality of life of patients from a managed care organization who were diagnosed with migraine and prescribed migraine medications. Patients were enrolled from four different medical groups and were requested to complete health-related quality-of-life questionnaires 2 and 4 months after they were provided with educational materials on migraine and samples of an over-the-counter migraine medication containing a combination of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine.


RESULTS
A total of 99 patients who chose an over-the-counter medication as their initial treatment for acute migraine occurring over the ensuing 4 months completed a baseline Short-Form 36, a validated and reliable general health status questionnaire. They then were retested at months 2 and 4. Results demonstrated significant improvements at months 2 and months 4 in one to four of the health-related quality-of-life dimensions measured relative to scores recorded before the patients were given access to the over-the-counter medication (P <.05). In addition, patients who initially took an over-the-counter medication to treat their migraine headaches reported increased frequency of relief.


CONCLUSIONS
In the 4 months following availability of an over-the-counter migraine medication and educational migraine materials, health-related quality of life and frequency of relief improved for the managed care migraine sufferers who participated in this study.
Burk
Caroline T
CT
Department Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, CA 92651, USA.
Gilderman
Alex
A
Salas
Joyce
J
Berenbeim
David
D
Nichol
Michael B
MB
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002110:Caffeine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004338:Drug Combinations; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D000082:Acetaminophen; D002110:Caffeine; D001241:Aspirin