Eletriptan treatment of migraine in patients switching from barbiturate-containing analgesics: results from a multiple-attack study

  1. Vt Martin1,*,
  2. E Loder2,
  3. K Taylor3,
  4. M Almas3,
  5. B Hilliard3

Article first published online: 12 APR 2005

DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2982.2005.00963.x

Issue

Cephalalgia

Cephalalgia

Volume 25, Issue 9, pages 726–734, September 2005

Additional Information

How to Cite

Martin, V., Loder, E., Taylor, K., Almas, M. and Hilliard, B. (2005), Eletriptan treatment of migraine in patients switching from barbiturate-containing analgesics: results from a multiple-attack study. Cephalalgia, 25: 726–734. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2982.2005.00963.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH,

  2. 2

    Harvard Medical School, Headache and Pain Management Programs, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, MA and

  3. 3

    Pfizer Inc., New York, NY, USA

*Dr Vincent Martin, Division of General Internal Medicine University of Cincinnati, PO Box 670535, Cincinnati, OH 45267–4217, USA. Tel. +1 513 558 7581, fax +1 513 558 4399, e-mail martindoc@pol.net

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 15 AUG 2005
  2. Article first published online: 12 APR 2005
  3. Received 30 March 2004, accepted 21 January 2005

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Keywords:

  • Headache;
  • migraine;
  • triptan;
  • eletriptan;
  • butalbital

The aim of this study was to examine efficacy and tolerability of eletriptan in patients switched from barbiturate-containing combinations (Fiorinal®, Fioricet®). Migraineurs (n = 160) meeting IHS criteria, with unsatisfactory response in the past year to butalbital-containing combinations, treated up to 16 attacks over 3 months with eletriptan 40 mg. Assessments included headache response and pain-free rates and functional impairment at baseline and 2 h postdose, and global ratings of treatment satisfaction at 24 h. At 2 h postdose, average headache response and pain-free rates were 71% (95% CI, 69–74%) and 37% (95% CI, 35–40%), respectively; 68.5% of patients (95% CI, 65–72%) reported functional response. Within-patient analysis found no efficacy diminution over time (no tolerance). Average headache recurrence rate was 20% (95% CI, 18–23%). Eletriptan was well-tolerated; 6 (3.7%) patients discontinued due to adverse events. There were no serious treatment-related adverse events. We conclude that in poor responders to butalbital-caffeine combinations, switching to eletriptan 40 mg was well-tolerated and efficacious.

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