Open-label trial of cinnarizine in migraine prophylaxis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness and safety of cinnarizine as a migraine-preventive therapy.


METHODS
Sixty patients with more than 2 migraine headache attacks during a 4-week baseline entered the study and received a 25-mg tablet cinnarizine twice daily for the first 3 days and then 3 times daily. They were assessed on weeks 2, 6, 10, and 14. Reduction from baseline in 4-week migraine headache rate was the primary efficacy variable. Reduction in migraine attacks duration and severity was also evaluated.


RESULTS
The mean reduction in 4-week migraine headache rate was 4.6 +/- 2.2 from the baseline of 6.2 +/- 2.2 after 14 weeks of treatment, which was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Percent reduction in 4-week migraine frequency was 35% after 2 weeks, 74% after 6 weeks, 74% after 10 weeks, and 75% after 14 weeks of treatment. Significant reduction in attack duration (P < 0.001) and severity (P < 0.001) was also noted. No serious adverse events were observed in this series of patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Cinnarizine is an efficacious and well-tolerated prophylactic antimigraine medication, which has early onset effectiveness.
Togha
Mansooreh
M
Department of Neurology, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
Ashrafian
Hossein
H
Tajik
Parvin
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002936:Cinnarizine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D002936:Cinnarizine