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Sumatriptan in Migraine With Unilateral Cranial Autonomic Symptoms: An Open Study
Author(s) -
Barbanti Piero,
Fabbrini Giovanni,
Vanacore Nicola,
Pesare Marina,
Buzzi Maria Gabriella
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
headache: the journal of head and face pain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.14
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1526-4610
pISSN - 0017-8748
DOI - 10.1046/j.1526-4610.2003.03077.x
Subject(s) - sumatriptan , medicine , triptans , anesthesia , migraine , cluster headache , rhinorrhea , surgery , agonist , receptor
Objective.—To investigate the response to sumatriptan in migraineurs with unilateral cranial autonomic symptoms such as lacrimation, eye redness, eyelid edema, nasal congestion, and rhinorrhea. Background.—Given the potential large‐scale recruitment of peripheral neurovascular 5‐HT 1B/1D receptors consequent to the activation of the trigeminal autonomic reflex in such patients, the presence of unilateral cranial autonomic symptoms may predict a positive response to sumatriptan. Methods.—Seventy‐two consecutive migraineurs with unilateral cranial autonomic symptoms were given sumatriptan 50‐mg tablets to treat 1 migraine attack and were asked to record their clinical response to the drug at different time points. End points were pain‐relief and pain‐free response at 1 and 2 hours. Results.—Pain relief was reported by 47 patients (65.3%) at 1 hour and by 59 (81.9%) at 2 hours. Pain‐free response was reported by 22 patients (30.6%) at 1 hour and by 44 (61.1%) at 2 hours. Responsiveness to sumatriptan did not correlate with the type or number of unilateral cranial autonomic symptoms, demographic characteristics, prophylactic treatments, use of contraceptives, or concomitant tension‐type headache. Conclusions.—Migraineurs with unilateral cranial autonomic symptoms seem to respond to sumatriptan better than other migraineurs. The presence of unilateral cranial autonomic symptoms may predict a positive response to the triptans.