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Pain-free rates with zolmitriptan 2.5 mg ODT in the acute treatment of migraine: results of a large double-blind placebo- controlled trial. Curr Med Res Opin 2005 Mar;21(3):381-9

Date

04/07/2005

Pubmed ID

15811207

DOI

10.1185/030079905x28926

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-16844372970 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   33 Citations

Abstract

CONTEXT: Zolmitriptan 2.5 mg orally disintegrating tablets (ODT) allow patients to take the medication without fluids, which is convenient and avoids the risk of fluid-induced exacerbation of nausea/vomiting.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of zolmitriptan 2.5 mg ODT taken as soon as possible after onset of a migraine.

DESIGN: Multicenter, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled two-attack trial.

SETTING: Outpatient headache clinics in the US.

PATIENTS: 608 patients were randomized; 566 patients treated at least 1 migraine and were included in the tolerability assessment (565 patients were included in the intent-to-treat population).

INTERVENTION: Patients were randomized to either zolmitriptan 2.5 mg ODT or placebo. Patients treated up to 2 migraine attacks as soon as possible after the start of their migraine pain.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Pain-free rates at 2 h.

RESULTS: Zolmitriptan 2.5 mg ODT (n = 281) demonstrated a significant pain-free rate vs. placebo (n = 284) at 2 h (40% vs. 20%, p < 0.001), 1.5 h (25% vs. 15%, p < 0.001), and 1 h (13% vs. 8%, p = 0.004). Sustained pain-free rate was significantly higher than placebo (31% vs. 15%; p < 0.001). Return to normal activities favored zolmitriptan 2.5 mg ODT at 1 h (p = 0.004), 1.5 h (p < 0.001), and 2 h (p < 0.001). Adverse events associated with zolmitriptan 2.5 mg ODT were those commonly reported with the use of triptans.

CONCLUSIONS: Zolmitriptan 2.5 mg ODT, taken as early as possible after onset of a migraine attack, is effective in the treatment of migraine, producing a significantly higher pain-free rate than placebo 2 h post-dose, and also at the earlier time points of 1 h and 1.5 h post-dose.

Author List

Loder E, Freitag FG, Adelman J, Pearlmand S, Abu-Shakra S

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Acute Disease
Administration, Oral
Adult
Double-Blind Method
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Migraine Disorders
Oxazolidinones
Pain
Placebos
Serotonin Receptor Agonists
Treatment Outcome
Tryptamines