Early treatment of migraine attacks with triptans: a strategy to enhance outcomes and patient satisfaction?
Treating migraine attacks early with triptans may be more effective than late triptan administration. However, in published studies, the definition of 'early' varied (in terms of time, pain intensity or presence of allodynia) or was unclear. Therefore, clear clinical indications have not been established. Appropriately designed trials to address this issue remain a priority. Early triptan treatment may also have disadvantages, including inadvertent treatment of tension-type headaches and danger of medication overuse. At present, only those migraineurs with rapid pain worsening, high pain recurrence rate and clinical indications of allodynia should be encouraged to take triptans as quickly as possible. This recommendation implies a requirement for patient education and the need to carefully tailor treatment to individual needs.
D'Amico
Domenico
D
C. Besta National Neurological Institute, Clinical Neurosciences Department, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milano, Italy. damicodo@tiscali.it
Moschiano
Franca
F
Bussone
Gennaro
G
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014363:Tryptamines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
D014363:Tryptamines