Efficacy and tolerability of sumatriptan in the treatment of multiple migraine attacks

This cross-over, double blind, randomized, multicentre study evaluated the consistency of efficacy and safety of oral sumatriptan in 233 migraneurs. T he patients received 50 mg oral sumatriptan or placebo for the treatment of 12 migraine attacks. Within each group of 4 attacks, three were treated wi th sumatriptan and one with placebo, according to a randomization list. Ove r all the attacks, the efficacy rate was statistically significant for suma triptan against placebo at 2 or 4 hours (2 hours: sumatriptan 60%, PLO 38%, p<0.001; 4 hours sumatriptan 79%, PLO 47%, p<0.001). Oral sumatriptan was similarly effective at relieving the associated symptoms and at reducing cl inical disability in most attacks. The incidence of adverse events did not differ between treatment groups. All the events recorded were mild to moder ate as intensity and resolved spontaneously.