The Changing Landscape of Pediatric Migraine Therapy: A Review.

IMPORTANCE

Migraine is a disabling and prevalent condition that affects the pediatric and adolescent population. This review describes current acute and preventive migraine pharmacologic therapies for the pediatric and adolescent population.

OBSERVATIONS

Multiple pharmacotherapies that have been used in the treatment of acute headache and prevention in pediatric migraine are reviewed. There have been recent advances in the management of migraines among pediatric and adolescent patients, including US Food and Drug Administration approval of triptans for acute management in children as young as 6 years, and the first prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled comparative study of preventive pharmacotherapy in pediatric migraine. A major challenge of evidence-based research in pediatric and adolescent migraine is the significant placebo effect.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Although progress is being made in the management of migraines among pediatric and adolescent patients, there remains much work to be done.