Parenteral vs. oral sumatriptan and naratriptan: plasma levels and efficacy in migraine. a comment.

Author(s): Tfelt-Hansen P

Affiliation(s): Danish Headache Centre, Department of Neurology, University of Copenhagen, Glostrup Hospital, DK-2600, Glostrup, Denmark. tfelt@inet.uni2.dk

Publication date & source: 2007-10, J Headache Pain., 8(5):273-6. Epub 2007 Oct 23.

Publication type: Comparative Study; Review

The clinical efficacy in migraine was compared for oral and subcutaneous sumatriptan and naratriptan. Doses of the two administration forms were chosen as resulting in comparable blood concentrations. Subcutaneous administrations of the drugs were superior for efficacy than the oral forms. This most likely due to a quicker rise in blood concentrations after subcutaneous injections.. In designing new therapies for migraine one should aim at a quick absorption of the drug, which will probably result in an increased efficacy.