Sumatriptan (Imigran) tablets are most effective when taken early in a migraine attack, according to findings presented at the World Headache 2000 meeting in London on September 5.
In a retrospective analysis of two studies, Glaxo Wellcome, the UK manufacturer of sumatriptan, found that, although the drug was effective at any phase of a migraine, patients responded more rapidly and more frequently early in the attack, when the pain was at its mildest. In addition, the company says, there may be less need for a second dose if sumatriptan is taken early.
In the first study, patients took either 100mg or 50mg of sumatriptan. Of those with mild pain, 67 per cent and 51 per cent, respectively, were pain-free after two hours, compared with 36 per cent and 31 per cent of those who took the drug when the pain was moderate to severe.
In the second study, which used a 50mg dose, 50 per cent of patients who took the drug when pain was mild were pain-free after two hours, compared with 27 per cent of those who took sumatriptan when the pain was moderate to severe.