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NIFEDIPINE VERSUS PROPRANOLOL FOR THE INITIAL PROPHYLAXIS OF MIGRAINE

NIFEDIPINE VERSUS PROPRANOLOL FOR THE INITIAL PROPHYLAXIS OF MIGRAINE HEADACHE Albers, G. W., SIMON, L. T., Hamik, A., Peroutka, S. J. 1989; 29 (4): 215-218

Abstract

We conducted a randomized open-labeled study of nifedipine versus propranolol for the initial prophylaxis of migraine. Propranolol was effective in 67% of patients (12/18) and well tolerated. Nifedipine was effective in only 30% of patients (6/20). The lack of overall efficacy of nifedipine was attributable to a high incidence of side effects, including an unusual symptom complex resembling erythromelalgia. These side effects led 45% (9/20) of the nifedipine patients to withdraw from the study within two weeks. By contrast, no patient (0/18) withdrew from the study within the first 2 weeks of propranolol therapy. We conclude that nifedipine is not an agent of first choice for the prophylaxis of migraine.

View details for Web of Science ID A1989U492600001

View details for PubMedID 2654067