title: Triptans--why once?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate triptan use patterns in a large Israeli HMO district.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Triptans, 5HT(1B/1D) agonists, provide an effective and safe relief of headache and accompanying symptoms during an acute migraine attack.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed the computerized prescription filling data of 1498 patients who filled a first triptan prescription between July 2003 and June 2004.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During a 1-year follow-up period, 841 patients (56.1%) purchased triptans only once. Single-time users were significantly more prevalent among men and in patients younger than 30 or older than 70 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It seems that many migraine patients choose not to use triptans after their first experience with the drug.
authors.affiliation: Headache Clinic, Department of Neurology, Soroka Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: Gal
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ifergane
authors.forename: Itzhak
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Wirguin
authors.forename: Pesach
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shvartzman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists