SUMATRIPTAN IN THE ACUTE TREATMENT OF MIGRAINE WITHOUT AURA - EFFICACY OF 50-MG DOSE

We conducted an open study on the efficacy of 50 mg of sumatriptan as an acute treatment for migraine without aura. Wa recruited 200 consecu tive patients, with an established history of migraine without aura, p resenting at a headache canter. The patients were instructed to take h alf a 100-mg sumatriptan tablet for their next migraine attack, and to record details of their headache in a diary. The primary outcome of t he study was headache relief from one migraine attack. Attacks were mo derately intense (46%), moderate to severe (7%), or severe (47%). Tota l or partial benefit at 2 hours from the 50-mg dose was reported by 14 0 of 200 patients (70%). Thirty-six patients received no benefit from half a tablet, and 24 did not take sumatriptan, preferring their habit ual medication. Side effects were few, mild, and short lasting. We con clude that the 50-mg oral dose is generally effective for migraine wit hout aura attacks of both moderate and severe intensity and recommend this dose for all such patients. If, however, sumatriptan is ineffecti ve at that dose it can be increased to a maximum of 100 mg.