Premium
Methysergide in the migraine syndrome
Author(s) -
Shekelle R. B.,
Ostfeld A. M.
Publication year - 1964
Publication title -
clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.941
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1532-6535
pISSN - 0009-9236
DOI - 10.1002/cpt196452201
Subject(s) - methysergide , migraine , placebo , medicine , anesthesia , headaches , migraine disorders , surgery , antagonist , receptor , alternative medicine , pathology
Methysergide and a placebo were compared under double‐blind conditions for prophylactic effect in patients exhibiting the migraine syndrome. Each patient received in randomized order 2 mg. methysergide, three times a day orally for 5 consecutive weeks, and an identical placebo taken in the same way during another period of 5 weeks. The number of headache days reported by each patient during the last 4 weeks of the methysergide period was subtracted from the number reported during the last 4 weeks of the placebo period. These observations were analyzed sequentially with Rushton's t test. After 13 patients had completed both treatment periods, the data were sufficient to conclude that methysergide was significantly (P < .05) more helpful than the placebo in reducing the frequency of migraine headache attacks. No serious toxic effects of methysergide were noted.