[A review of the pharmacologic treatment of migraine in children].
OBJECTIVE
To describe the efficacy and tolerability of the different medications used to treat migraine in children and adolescents.


METHODS
A literature review of the drug studies involving children and adolescents for the treatment of migraine was conducted. The treatment of migraine is divided into abortive and prophylactic. The different classes of drugs are described in respect to its efficacy and side effects. Few placebo-controlled, double-blind studies are available in children as compared to adults for the treatment of migraine headaches. Only ibuprofen and nasal sumatriptan have been studied and shown to be effective in more than one double blind placebo-controlled study for the abortive treatment of migraine in children. Unlike the adult studies, the oral triptans tested in children have not been effective when compared to placebo. Only flunarizine has shown efficacy in more than one placebo controlled trial for the prophylactic treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Most of the medications used to treat migraine in children and adolescents are well tolerated. The treatment response of migraine in children and adolescents may differ from that of adults. There seems to be a high placebo response rate in the pediatric population. Therefore, further prospective placebo-controlled studies are needed.
Vasconcellos
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Servicio de Neurología, Miami Children's Hospital, Miami, FL, USA. evasconcellos@pediatricneuro.com
D000293:Adolescent; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010919:Placebos; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000700:Analgesics; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D010919:Placebos; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists