Observations on the efficacy of propranolol for the prophylaxis of migraine

Among 1,036 patients treated for migraine headache between 1973 and 1980, 865 were given a daily maximum dose of 320 mg of propranolol, while 171 served as differently treated controls. At least one year of treatment was prescribed, at the end of which time 84% of the propranolol group reported sustained improvement compared with similar improvement in only 32% of controls ( p < 0.01). The success rate progressively increased during the entire year.