title: Short-term frovatriptan for the prevention of difficult-to-treat menstrual migraine attacks.
abstract: The efficacy of a 6-day regimen of frovatriptan for menstrual migraine (MM; attacks starting on day -2 to +3 of menses) prevention in women with difficult-to-treat MM was assessed. Women with a documented inadequate response to triptans for acute MM treatment were included in this placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial. Women were randomized to double-blind treatment for three perimenstrual periods (PMPs) with either frovatriptan 2.5 mg (q.d. or b.i.d.) or placebo initiated 2 days before anticipated MM. The efficacy analysis included 410 women with 85% completing three double-blind PMPs. The mean number of headache-free PMPs was 0.92 with frovatriptan b.i.d., 0.69 with frovatriptan q.d. and 0.42 with placebo [P < 0.001 (b.i.d.) and P < 0.02 (q.d.) vs. placebo]. When migraine occurred, severity was reduced with frovatriptan q.d. (P < 0.001) and b.i.d. (P < 0.001) vs. placebo. Both frovatriptan regimens were well tolerated. In women with difficult-to-treat MM, a 6-day regimen of frovatriptan significantly reduced MM incidence and severity.
authors.affiliation: Nashville Neuroscience Group, PC, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA 37203. jbrandes@nashvilleneuroscience.com
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Brandes
authors.forename: A c
authors.initials: Ac
authors.lastname: Poole
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kallela
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Schreiber
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: MacGregor
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Silberstein
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tobin
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shaw
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002227:Carbazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D049669:History, 16th Century; D006801:Humans; D008598:Menstruation; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014363:Tryptamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002227:Carbazoles; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D014363:Tryptamines; C108128:frovatriptan