title: N alpha methyl histamine versus propranolol in migraine prophylaxis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy and tolerability of the subcutaneous administration of N alpha methyl histamine versus oral propranolol in the treatment of migraine prophylaxis.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  N alpha methyl histamine has a selective affinity for H3 receptors and could constitute a new therapeutic drug in migraine prophylaxis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty patients with migraine were selected and enrolled in a 12-week double-blind controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of subcutaneous administration of N-alpha methyl histamine (1 to 3 ug twice a week ) n=30, compared to administration of 120 mg/day of oral propranolol n=30. the variables were: headache intensity, frequency of attacks, duration of migraine attacks and analgesic intake.
  
  
  RESULTS
  fifty five patients completed the study. the data collected during the 4th week of treatment revealed that N alpha methyl histamine and propranolol caused a significantly (p<0.01) greater reduction between the basal values and final values of every variable studied.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both N alpha methyl histamine and propranolol are similarly effective in reducing or eliminating the headache in migraine prophylaxis. low doses of N-alpha methyl histamine injected subcutaneously may represent a novel and effective therapeutic alternative in migraine patients and may lay the clinical and pharmacological groundwork for the use of H3 receptor agonist in migraine prophylaxis.
authors.forename: R O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Millán-Guerrero
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Isais-Millán
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Guzmán-Chávez
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Castillo-Varela
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D017442:Histamine Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D008761:Methylhistamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D017442:Histamine Agonists; D008761:Methylhistamines; D011433:Propranolol; C048140:N-methylhistamine