HONOLULU -- Frovatriptan prevented menstrually associated migraine headaches in 50% of those who took a twice-daily dose during the perimenstrual period, in a study of 545 women.
"This is the first time we've seen a triptan actually prevent these headaches in such a large number of women before they experience pain," Dr. Stephen Silberstein said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology.
He acknowledged receiving grant support and honoraria from, and serving as a consultant to, Elan Pharmaceuticals Inc., which markets frovatriptan under the brand name Frova.
The double-blind, placebo-controlled, triple-crossover study involved 545 women, mean age 37.6 years, who had had an average of 11.4 menstrual migraine attacks over the past 12 months. Patients were randomized to one of six treatment sequences, in which successive perimenstrual periods were treated with placebo, frovatriptan 2.5 mg once daily, and frovatriptan 2.5 mg twice daily. They took the medication for a total of 6 days each month, beginning 2 days before they expected a menstrually associated migraine to begin, said Dr. Silberstein, director of the Jefferson Headache Clinic at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.
Menstrually associated migraine was absent during the 6-day period in 50% of those taking frovatriptan twice daily, 39% of those taking frovatriptan once daffy, and 26% of those taking placebo. On this measure, both doses of frovatriptan were significantly better than placebo, and the higher dose of frovatriptan was significantly better than the lower dose.
COPYRIGHT 2003 International Medical News Group
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group
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