The efficacy and safety of subcutaneous sumatriptan in the acute treatment of menstrual migraine

Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous sumatriptan with placebo in the treatment of menstrual migraine. Methods A double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous sumatriptan in the treatment of menstrual migraine over two attacks. A total of 179 subjects received sumatriptan or placebo to treat at least one menstrual migraine attack. Results The efficacy results were consistent for attacks one and two. Two hours after treatment in attacks one and two, 53 (73%) and 51 (81%) of the sumatriptan-treated subjects, respectively, reported headache relief (reduction of a severe or moderately severe headache to a mild or no headache), compared with 27 (31%) and 18 (29%) of the placebo-treated subjects ( P Conclusion Subcutaneous sumatriptan is an effective and well-tolerated acute treatment for menstrual migraine.