Posted by Bob P (129.65.46.87) on December 21, 2000 at 11:07:38:
In Reply to: Thought this might be of interest. posted by Bennie Sue on December 21, 2000 at 10:48:25:
1: Funct Neurol 2000 Jul-Sep;15(3):167-70
Sumatriptan overuse in episodic cluster headache: lack of adverse events,
rebound syndromes, drug dependence and tachyphylaxis.
Centonze V, Bassi A, Causarano V, Dalfino L, Cassiano MA, Centonze A, Fabbri L,
Albano O
Dept of Internal Medicine and Public Medicine, University of Bari, Italy.
[Medline record in process]
This observational study was designed to examine the pattern of sumatriptan use
in patients with cluster headache using more than the recommended daily dose of
subcutaneously injected (s.c.) sumatriptan. Thirteen patients suffering from
episodic cluster headache were asked to record the characteristics of their
attacks and drug intake for 1 year. All reported a high daily frequency of
attacks (more than 3 per day) and the related overuse of s.c. sumatriptan. The
results show that the overall incidence of adverse events among patients
receiving sumatriptan injections for the treatment of cluster headache is low.
The extended administration of this drug in episodic cluster headache did not
result in tolerance problems or tachyphylaxis. Only 4 patients experienced minor
adverse events and recovered more slowly than the others. They suffered from
migraine without aura and cluster headache, and showed a family history of
migraine. Even though they must be viewed with caution, due to the observational
nature of the study and the low number of patients included, these results
suggest that the profile of sumatriptan may differ in cluster headache compared
with migraine.
PMID: 11062845, UI: 20516444