THE PROPHYLACTIC TREATMENT OF MIGRAINE WITH AN ANTISEROTONIN PIZOTIFEN (BC 105)

The prophylactic effect of an antiserotonin Pizotifen (BC 105) in migraine has been investigated by means of a double-blind crossover trial. Pizotifen 1 mg t.i.d. and Prochlorperazine (Stemetil®) 5 mg t.i.d. were administered for two periods of eight weeks, in random order, to 40 outpatients with migraine. The investigation revealed no significant difference in the effect of the two drugs with regard to frequency of attacks, duration of attacks, number of attacks necessitating the patient's absence from work, incidence of associated symptoms, or use of supplementary drugs during the attacks. Increase in weight was a common and extremely disturbing side effect of the treatment with Pizotifen. The study has demonstrated that Pizotifen has little effect in the prevention of migraine; this is contrary to the results of the few well-controlled investigations which have hitherto been reported.