[Sumatriptan and cluster headache].

Double-blind studies have demonstrated the efficacy of sumatriptan for the treatment of cluster headache (CH) but little is known about its use on a daily basis. The open trial reported here analyzed the efficacy, tolerance and appropriateness of subcutaneous administration of sumatriptan; the results are compared with findings for other treatments of CH. Sumatriptan was used in 232 attacks suffered by 16 patients and its effect was very rapid. Pain began to diminish a mean 9 minutes after injection and the most intense had disappeared in less than 15 minutes. All the patients preferred sumatriptan to other treatments. No serious side effects were recorded and the patients were satisfied with subcutaneous injection. Sumatriptan was considered the first choice medication for treatment of CH symptoms, although its high cost is a drawback that had to be taken into account.