PATIENT PREFERENCES FOR MIGRAINE THERAPY - SUBCUTANEOUS SUMATRIPTAN COMPARED WITH OTHER MEDICATIONS

Background. This study was conducted to identify, from the patient's p erspective, the important attributes of a migraine therapy and to asse ss the performance of subcutaneous sumatriptan, aspirin, acetaminophen , and patients' usual therapies with respect to these attributes. Meth ods. Six hundred forty-eight patients who had received subcutaneous su matriptan (one or two doses, 6 mg per dose, for a single migraine epis ode) or placebo in a clinical trial completed questionnaires. Results. According to patients, the four most important attributes of a migrai ne therapy are ''how well it works,'' ''how safe it is,'' ''how fast i t works,'' and ''side effects.'' The least important attribute is ''co st of drug.'' Subcutaneous sumatriptan received significantly more fav orable scores than did aspirin, acetaminophen, or patients' usual ther apies with respect to the attributes of how well it works, how fast it works, and number of doses needed to relieve pain. Subcutaneous sumat riptan was also rated more favorably than either aspirin or patients' usual therapies with respect to side effects. Acetaminophen and aspiri n were rated significantly more favorably than subcutaneous sumatripta n on the attributes ''easy to take'' and ''easy to buy.'' Asked which drug they would use again for migraine, more patients selected subcuta neous sumatriptan than any other single medication. More patients also ranked subcutaneous sumatriptan as the best overall performer compare d with other migraine medications taken in the last 12 months. Conclus ions. These data indicate that according to patients' preferences, sub cutaneous sumatriptan possesses many of the attributes of an ideal mig raine therapy.