Metoprolol and pizotifen in the prophylactic treatment of classical and common migraine. A double-blind investigation.

The prophylactic anti-migraine effect of the serotonin antagonist pizotifen and the beta 1-selective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist metoprolol was compared in a double-blind cross-over study. The dosage of pizotifen was 0.5 mg t.i.d. and that of metoprolol 50 mg b.i.d. Thirty-five patients with classical or common migraine were included in the investigation. Five patients withdrew during the course of the study; four because of side effects (three on pizotifen, one on metoprolol) and one because of unassociated illness. The results show that there was no statistically significant difference in efficacy between metoprolol and pizotifen. The tolerance, especially regarding weight gain, was the major drawback with pizotifen, while metoprolol was generally well tolerated.