Premium
Subcutaneous histamine versus sodium valproate in migraine prophylaxis: a randomized, controlled, double‐blind study
Author(s) -
MillánGuerrero R. O.,
IsaisMillán R.,
BarretoVizcaíno S.,
RiveraCastaño L.,
GarciaSolorzano A.,
LópezBlanca C.,
MembrilaMaldonado M.,
MuñozSolis R.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
european journal of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.881
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1468-1331
pISSN - 1351-5101
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2007.01744.x
Subject(s) - medicine , migraine , histamine , anesthesia , analgesic , randomized controlled trial , clinical trial , oral administration , pharmacology
Histamine has a selective affinity for H3‐receptors and it may specifically inhibit the neurogenic edema response involved in migraine pathophysiology. The objective of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of subcutaneous administration of histamine in migraine prophylaxis, compared with oral administration of sodium valproate, in an open clinical trial. Ninety‐two patients with migraine were selected under criteria established by the International Headache Society and enrolled in a 12‐week double‐blind controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of subcutaneous administration of histamine (1–10 ng twice a week; n = 46) compared with oral administration of sodium valproate (500 mg daily dose; n = 46). The variables studied were headache intensity, frequency, duration, analgesic intake and migraine disability assessment (MIDAS). Two‐tailed Student's t ‐ test was used to compare means and the Mann–Whitney U and anova tests were used. The data collected during the 4th, 8th and 12th weeks of treatment revealed that histamine caused a significantly greater reduction ( P < 0.001) in intensity and duration of migraine attacks as well as in analgesic intake. No difference was detected in the frequency of attacks or in MIDAS. The present study provides evidence of the superior efficacy of histamine applied subcutaneously in migraine prophylaxis when compared with sodium valproate taken orally. Subcutaneously applied histamine may represent a novel and effective therapeutic alternative in resistant migraine patients.