Newer intranasal migraine medications.

Author(s): Logemann CD, Rankin LM

Affiliation(s): Iowa Lutheran Hospital Family Practice Residency, Des Moines, USA.

Publication date & source: 2000-01-01, Am Fam Physician., 61(1):180-6.

Publication type: Review

Two new intranasal migraine medications, sumatriptan and dihydroergotamine mesylate, may offer specific advantages for patients who are seeking alternatives to various oral or parenteral migraine abortive therapies. Placebo-controlled clinical studies demonstrate that both intranasal forms are effective in relieving migraine headache pain, but published clinical trial information comparing these two intranasal medications with current abortive therapies is lacking. Both agents are generally well tolerated by patients, with the exception of mild, local adverse reactions of the nose and throat.