Triptans in pregnancy.
The triptans are a class of tryptamine-based drugs indicated for in the treatment of migraine headaches. The triptans act as serotonin (5-hydroxytriptamine) (5-HT) agonists by binding to various serotonin receptors, causing vasoconstriction and neuronal inhibition to alleviate migraines. There are 7 types of triptans currently available on the U.S. market: almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan and zolmitriptan. The objective of this study was to examine the use and effects of triptans in pregnancy. Although three of the triptans have pregnancy registries maintained by the manufacturer, triptan use in pregnancy has not been extensively studied. Information on the use of sumatriptan during pregnancy is relatively more abundant, because it has been on the market longer than the other triptans and may also have a higher percentage of the market share. There are no data to suggest teratogenicity for any of the triptans, although preterm birth rates appear to be elevated.
Soldin
Offie P
OP
Department of Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA. os35@georgetown.edu
Dahlin
Julia
J
O'Mara
Daniel M
DM
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014363:Tryptamines / Q000009:adverse effects*
D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D014363:Tryptamines