Sumatriptan 4 mg Statdose in the Acute Treatment of Cluster Headache

GSK is recruiting patients through the diamond headache clinic for the 4 mg statdose specifically designed for CH sufferers.

Study information can be obtained from clinicaltrials.gov at this website:

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While I'm not a proponent of triptans for CH because of the many anecdotal cases of evidence showing many negatives, the best chance for CHers to get new drugs out such as the CGRP receptor antagonists, is if we as sufferers can get our numbers out there to the researchers and the pharmco's;  one way is to make sure whatever studies they are doing, get filled.

Just a heads up for anyone who's interested.

Cat

TTT

It strikes me as ironic that they are doing this trial, only 16 years after I started using Imitrex for my CH.  I even used to travel 6 hours each way to go to the Diamond clinic.  If it were practical, I'd participate, but alas it's not.  

Anything to further the cause of getting good CH information out there.

Wishing you well,

Ray

Well Ray, I'm not an imitrex fan as I've said, but the fact that GSK is doing a 4mg shot study specifically for CHers is what caught my eye.

Not sure how many are in the region that would qualify, but I figure it's worth looking into for those it's feasible for.  The 'imitrex tip' DJ has carried for so long may well prove to provide a treatment for those who use it.

Cat

Beings that there are NO medications out there labeled first and formost for cluster headache sufferers (they're all for migrainers, even though we use them too), I'd say that this is GREAT news!!

Thank you for the heads up Cat!

:)mel

Dear Melissa:

Imitrex IS labeled for CH.


Quote:

Cluster Headache: The efficacy of IMITREX Injection in the acute treatment of cluster headache was demonstrated in 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-period crossover trials. Patients age 21 to 65 were enrolled and were instructed to treat a moderate to very severe headache within 10 minutes of onset. Headache relief was defined as a reduction in headache severity to mild or no pain. In both trials, the proportion of individuals gaining relief at 10 or 15 minutes was significantly greater among patients receiving 6 mg of IMITREX Injection 5 compared with those who received placebo (see Table 3). One study evaluated a 12-mg dose; there was no statistically significant difference in outcome between patients randomized to the 6- and 12-mg doses.

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I hope that you don't mind this extra info.

Ray

Ray, I know that Imitrex is labeled for CH, but it was developed for migraine sufferers.  CH is not first on the label, only an afterthought.  That was the point I was trying to make. :-/

Point made and point taken!  Thanks Melissa!

Ray

Ray wrote on Apr 7^th, 2009 at 11:43pm:

Point made and point taken!  Thanks Melissa! Ray

Thanks Ray, I hope I didn't come off as being bullish or nitpicky!

:)mel

Melissa:

Nope, we're good.

Ray

I am confused  :D My doctor gave me several Imitrex 4mg stat doses. Normally they are Blue for the 6mg the 4mg is yellow.

So is the study so they can be labeled for CH?