title: Eletriptan treatment of migraine in patients switching from barbiturate-containing analgesics: results from a multiple-attack study.
abstract: The aim of this study was to examine efficacy and tolerability of eletriptan in patients switched from barbiturate-containing combinations (Fiorinal), Fioricet. Migraineurs (n = 160) meeting IHS criteria, with unsatisfactory response in the past year to butalbital-containing combinations, treated up to 16 attacks over 3 months with eletriptan 40 mg. Assessments included headache response and pain-free rates and functional impairment at baseline and 2 h postdose, and global ratings of treatment satisfaction at 24 h. At 2 h postdose, average headache response and pain-free rates were 71% (95% CI, 69-74%) and 37% (95% CI, 35-40%), respectively; 68.5% of patients (95% CI, 65-72%) reported functional response. Within-patient analysis found no efficacy diminution over time (no tolerance). Average headache recurrence rate was 20% (95% CI, 18-23%). Eletriptan was well-tolerated; 6 (3.7%) patients discontinued due to adverse events. There were no serious treatment-related adverse events. We conclude that in poor responders to butalbital-caffeine combinations, switching to eletriptan 40 mg was well-tolerated and efficacious.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 452674217, USA. martindoc@pol.net
authors.forename: V T
authors.initials: VT
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Loder
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Almas
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hilliard
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001463:Barbiturates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002110:Caffeine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011759:Pyrrolidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011788:Quality of Life; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014363:Tryptamines
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D001463:Barbiturates; D004338:Drug Combinations; D007211:Indoles; D011759:Pyrrolidines; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D014363:Tryptamines; C056076:acetaminophen, butalbital, caffeine drug combination; C115647:eletriptan; D000082:Acetaminophen; D002110:Caffeine; C001220:aspirin, butalbital and caffeine drug combination; D001241:Aspirin