Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for migraine prophylaxis

Citation
S. Landy et al., Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for migraine prophylaxis, HEADACHE, 39(1), 1999, pp. 28-32
Citations number
12
Categorie Soggetti
Neurology
Journal title
HEADACHE
ISSN journal
00178748 → ACNP
Volume
39
Issue
1
Year of publication
1999
Pages
28 - 32
Database
ISI
SICI code
0017-8748(199901)39:1<28:SSRIFM>2.0.ZU;2-X
Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of sertraline in mig raine prophylaxis. Other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been studied for migraine prophylaxis, but this is the first report with sertral ine. Twenty-seven subjects were enrolled and baseline assessment of migrain e frequency and severity were measured over a 4-week period. Subjects were then randomized to receive placebo or sertraline in a double-blind fashion with headache frequency and severity measured over an 8-week period. Subjec ts completed a daily diary reporting the occurrence, severity, and degree o f impairment associated with migraine. The headache index, a composite measure of migraine frequency and severity, scores did not significantly improve between assessments at baseline (20.8 +/- 14.58), 8 weeks (17.6 +/- 12.27), and 12 weeks (16.7 +/- 6.38) in the treatment group (n=6) (P=0.956). This finding is compared to other studies with the serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, and paroxetine. The authors believe that the selective serotonin reuptake i nhibitors are not as effective as conventional migraine prophylaxis medicat ions such as beta-blockers, tricyclic anti-depressants, or divalproex sodiu m, but that in patients with comorbid depression who have failed convention al therapy selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may be effective.