Treatment of hemiplegic migraine with triptans

Eur J Neurol. 2007 Sep;14(9):1053-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2007.01900.x.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of triptans in patients who suffer from familial or sporadic hemiplegic migraine. Seventy-six subjects had used triptans at least once as an abortive treatment. Average triptan response was 6.9 (SD +/-3.1) and adverse event severity 4.9 (SD +/-3.3) on a scale from 0 to 10 (no response or side effect 0, excellent response or unbearable side effects 10). None of the patients had an ischaemic stroke or a heart attack. One patient reported prolonged neurological symptoms, related to a single dose of rizatriptan, but there were no pathological findings in several MRI-scans. Triptans seem to be safe and effective treatment for most hemiplegic migraine patients.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Migraine with Aura / drug therapy*
  • Neurologic Examination
  • Serotonin Receptor Agonists / therapeutic use*
  • Tryptamines / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Serotonin Receptor Agonists
  • Tryptamines