Isometheptene‐a Non‐ergot Drug in the Treatment of Migraine

SYNOPSIS Thirty‐six patients participated in a double‐blind, two‐way crossover study of isometheptene (Octin) and placebo. Seventeen had a better response on isometheptene than on placebo. Placebo was superior to isometheptene in eight cases. Of 72 courses of treatment with each drug, isometheptene produced good or complete relief of pain in 30 courses of treatment (42%) while placebo produced a similar response in 21courses of treatment (29%) (p<0.05). When the severity of pain and the degree of relief were considered, the superiority of isometheptene did not reach statistical significance at the 5% level. Side effects due to isometheptene were few and mild or of moderate severity. Isometheptene may be an alternative treatment when ergotamine is contraindicated.