Open-label trial of cinnarizine in migraine prophylaxis.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effectiveness and safety of cinnarizine as a migraine-preventive therapy.

METHODS

Sixty patients with more than 2 migraine headache attacks during a 4-week baseline entered the study and received a 25-mg tablet cinnarizine twice daily for the first 3 days and then 3 times daily. They were assessed on weeks 2, 6, 10, and 14. Reduction from baseline in 4-week migraine headache rate was the primary efficacy variable. Reduction in migraine attacks duration and severity was also evaluated.

RESULTS

The mean reduction in 4-week migraine headache rate was 4.6 +/- 2.2 from the baseline of 6.2 +/- 2.2 after 14 weeks of treatment, which was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Percent reduction in 4-week migraine frequency was 35% after 2 weeks, 74% after 6 weeks, 74% after 10 weeks, and 75% after 14 weeks of treatment. Significant reduction in attack duration (P < 0.001) and severity (P < 0.001) was also noted. No serious adverse events were observed in this series of patient.

CONCLUSION

Cinnarizine is an efficacious and well-tolerated prophylactic antimigraine medication, which has early onset effectiveness.