Open AccessPilot Study of Amitriptyline in the Prophylactic Treatment of Medication‐Overuse Headache: A 1‐Year Follow‐Up
Author(s) -
Fan Wen,
Lv Yuhua,
Ying Guomin,
Li Wangwen,
Zhou Jiying
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
pain medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.893
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1526-4637
pISSN - 1526-2375
DOI - 10.1111/pme.12517
Subject(s) - medicine , tolerability , amitriptyline , headaches , observational study , anesthesia , adverse effect , surgery
Objective This study aims to evaluate the long‐term efficacy of low‐dose amitriptyline combined with abrupt withdrawal in outpatients of medication‐overuse headache ( MOH ) in an open‐label design. Methods We evaluated the effectiveness of early introduction of low‐dose amitriptyline combined with abrupt withdrawal in outpatients with MOH over a 1‐year observational period. The primary outcome measures were the reduction in number of headache days and days with use of acute headache medication after 3 months and after 12 months. A number of secondary outcome measures, as well as safety and tolerability, were assessed. The responders were defined as patients with ≥50% reduction in headache frequency from baseline and being without medication overuse. Results Thirty‐three patients completed the study. Significant reductions in headache frequency and medication consumption were observed at both months 3 and 12, compared to baseline ( P < 0.05 for all). Neither the primary nor the secondary endpoints differed significantly between months 3 and 12. At the 12‐month follow‐up, 58% of the patients were considered as responders (N = 19); 73% remained cured of MOH (N = 24); 64% had reverted to episodic headaches (N = 21); 27% had relapsed into MOH (N = 9). Conclusion Given these results, early introduction of low‐dose amitriptyline combined with abrupt withdrawal could be considered as a choice for patients with MOH .