Changes in catecholamine plasma levels after application of sumatriptan succinate or ergotamine tartrate in migraine patient during the attack and the pain-free interval

The effects of ergotamine and sumatriptan upon the concentrations of catech olamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine) in venous blood plasma wer e investigated in a group of migraine patients. The catecholamine concentra tions were measured between and during attacks by the HPLC method. Ergotami ne tartrate has been administered by a spray with a dosage of 0.5 mg. Sumat riptan succinate was given subcutaneously with a dosage of 6 mg. We found t hat the concentration of norepinephrine in the venous blood plasma decrease d significantly (p <0,001; 2-tails sign test) during the migraine attack on ly after the administration of sumatriptan. All other parameters were not i nfluenced by the two substances. Moreover we found a highly significant cli nical efficacy of both, sumatriptan and ergotamine, the former significantl y faster than ergotamine.