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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> Imitrex--may change cluster pattern
        
(Message started by: Bob_Johnson on Aug 23^rd, 2004, 6:44am)

Title: Imitrex--may change cluster pattern
Post by Bob_Johnson on Aug 23^rd, 2004, 6:44am

Headache. 2004 Jul;44(7):713-8.

Subcutaneous sumatriptan induces changes in frequency pattern in cluster headache patients.

Rossi P, Lorenzo GD, Formisano R, Buzzi MG.

Objectives.-To document the relationship between the use of subcutaneous (SQ) sumatriptan (sum) and a change in frequency pattern of cluster headache (CH) in six patients. To discuss the clinical and pathophysiological implications of this observation in the context of available literature. Background.-Treatment with SQ sum may cause an increase in attack frequency of CH but data from literature are scant and controversial. Methods.-Six CH sum-naive patients (three episodic and three chronic according to the International Headache Society (IHS) criteria) are described. Results.-All six patients had very fast relief from pain and accompanying symptoms from the drug but they developed an increase in attack frequency soon after using SQ sum. In all patients, the CH returned to its usual frequency within a few days after SQ sum was withdrawn or replaced with other drugs. Five patients were not taking any prophylactic treatment and SQ sum was the only drug prescribed to treat their headache. Conclusions.-Physicians should recognize the possibility that treatment of CH with SQ sum may be associated with an increased frequency of headache attacks.

PMID: 15209695 [PubMed - in process]

Title: Re: Imitrex--may change cluster pattern
Post by pubgirl on Aug 23^rd, 2004, 7:22am

:( :( :( :(
when PG was asked if Imigran and 02 can make CH attacks more frequent, his reply to both was affirmative.
Also when asked if Verap could prolong cycles, the answer is "probably"

Depressing thought that we still don't even have a really effective treatment prescribable by GP's, never mind a cure.

Fed up now :'(

W

Title: Re: Imitrex--may change cluster pattern
Post by DerbyDemon on Aug 23^rd, 2004, 7:28am

And to think I've been sticking myself with the stuff like a junkie all summer.

Title: Re: Imitrex--may change cluster pattern
Post by pubgirl on Aug 23^rd, 2004, 7:59am

Do we really have any choice as Imitrex and 02 are the the best abortives we have? :(

Title: Re: Imitrex--may change cluster pattern
Post by manana on Aug 23^rd, 2004, 8:50am

Why not inform the insurance companies & Pharmacuticals so that more doses can be approved for the ones who need to use triptans?

Title: Re: Imitrex--may change cluster pattern
Post by IndianaJohn on Aug 23^rd, 2004, 8:58am

That sounds like a double edged sword. The more you use the more individual HA's you'll get. I think it's true of the nasal sprays too. So once again we need to limit ourselves when possible to avoid prolonging a cycle....

CH just sucks!!!...