Triptan nasal spray effective for adolescent migraine

	Tweet

A nasal spray containing the drug zolmitriptan, which is known by the brand name Zomig, effectively relieves migraine headache in adolescents and is well tolerated, according to a study.

In the study, conducted by Dr. Donald W. Lewis, of Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, and colleagues, 275 migraine attacks in 171 adolescents (12 to 17 years old) were treated, including 148 with zolmitriptan and 127 with placebo. 

Onset of headache relief occurred within 15 minutes in roughly 37 percent of zolmitriptan treatments compared with 23 percent of placebo treatments, a significant difference favoring zolmitriptan.

Likewise, at 1 hour, zolmitriptan nasal spray produced a much higher headache response rate relative to placebo (58 percent versus 43 percent, respectively).

Zolmitriptan nasal spray was significantly superior to placebo in improvement in pain-free rates, pain intensity, sustained resolution of migraine, and resolution of associated migraine symptoms, the authors report in the journal Pediatrics. Patients treated with zolmitriptan nasal spray were more apt to return to normal activities than patients treated with placebo.

There were no serious side effects to the nasal spray. The most commonly reported side effects were taste disturbance, nasal discomfort, and nasal congestion.

Zolmitriptan nasal spray, the team concludes, provides “fast and significantly effective” relief of migraine symptoms for adolescent migraine sufferers.

SOURCE: Pediatrics August 2007.

RELATED STORIES:
Breastfed babies may become leaner kids   Families of tiniest preemies do well long-term   Study suggests wearing no-line bifocals slows myopia progression in some children   P&G being sued over Pampers Dry Max diapers   Johnny wants a pet turtle? Just say no   Mothers need more advice on nutrition - study   Are Your Children’s Rx Meds FDA-approved?   US children healthier, except minorities   Childhood Obesity May Contribute to Later Onset of Puberty for Boys   Children who don’t like fruit and vegetables are 13 times more likely to be constipated   Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of headache in university students: study   Drug Deemed Safe, Effective for Post-Surgical Pain in Children

Comments

[ + Post Your Own ]

Now you're in the public comment zone. What follows is not Armenian Medical Network's stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it. A reminder: By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

There are no comments for this entry yet. [ + Comment here + ]