N alpha methyl histamine versus propranolol in migraine prophylaxis.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the efficacy and tolerability of the subcutaneous administration of N alpha methyl histamine versus oral propranolol in the treatment of migraine prophylaxis.

BACKGROUND

N alpha methyl histamine has a selective affinity for H3 receptors and could constitute a new therapeutic drug in migraine prophylaxis.

METHODS

Sixty patients with migraine were selected and enrolled in a 12-week double-blind controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of subcutaneous administration of N-alpha methyl histamine (1 to 3 ug twice a week ) n=30, compared to administration of 120 mg/day of oral propranolol n=30. the variables were: headache intensity, frequency of attacks, duration of migraine attacks and analgesic intake.

RESULTS

fifty five patients completed the study. the data collected during the 4th week of treatment revealed that N alpha methyl histamine and propranolol caused a significantly (p<0.01) greater reduction between the basal values and final values of every variable studied.

CONCLUSIONS

Both N alpha methyl histamine and propranolol are similarly effective in reducing or eliminating the headache in migraine prophylaxis. low doses of N-alpha methyl histamine injected subcutaneously may represent a novel and effective therapeutic alternative in migraine patients and may lay the clinical and pharmacological groundwork for the use of H3 receptor agonist in migraine prophylaxis.