Use of rescue medication in trials of almotriptan versus placebo in the treatment of acute migraine

Abstract

Background: Almotriptan malate is a recently marketed triptan for the treatment of acute migraine. Results from controlled clinical trials demonstrate efficacy superior to placebo and an adverse event rate comparable to that with placebo. Objective: The goal of this study was to assess the effect of oral almotriptan on the use of rescue medication in the treatment of acute migraine attacks. Methods: Three Phase II and III, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind studies of almotriptan used as the basis for regulatory approval of the drug were included in the analysis. Two studies (1 single dose, 1 multiple dose) assessed almotriptan 6.25 mg and 12.5 mg and a third compared almotriptan 12.5 mg and sumatriptan 100 mg. Primary results from all 3 trials were previously published. Rescue medication was permitted if migraine pain had not decreased to mild severity or to no pain at 2 hours after study medication. The primary end point of this analysis was use of rescue medication. Results: A total of 1777 patients were included in the analysis. Mean patient age ranged from 39.4 to 44.0 years; ∼87% were women, and >98% were white. Patients were well matched for demographic characteristics. Overall, use of rescue medication was significantly lower with almotriptan 6.25 mg and 12.5 mg compared with placebo ( P ≤ 0.05 for each group). No significant difference was noted between the almotriptan 12.5-mg and sumatriptan 100-mg groups. In 2 of the studies, patients with moderate or severe baseline pain used significantly less rescue medication in the almotriptan groups compared with placebo. Conclusions: Oral almotriptan 6.25 mg or 12.5 mg significantly reduced use of rescue medication compared with placebo among patients with acute migraine. Use of rescue medication was comparable with almotriptan 12.5 mg and sumatriptan 100 mg.