Chronic migraine: a therapeutic challenge for clinicians

Expert Opin Emerg Drugs. 2012 Dec;17(4):445-7. doi: 10.1517/14728214.2012.726612. Epub 2012 Sep 21.

Abstract

Chronic migraine is a common disabling condition. Severe migraine attacks should be treated with triptans, but these agents are contraindicated in patients with vascular problems and may not be effective or tolerated in around one third of the patients. New acute migraine therapies without vasoconstrictive activity and triptan-specific side effects are emerging. For the prophylaxis of chronic migraine, only topiramate and OnabotulinumtoxinA have been shown to be effective in placebo-controlled randomized trials, so novel therapeutic strategies are needed. The growing understanding of the pathophysiology of chronic migraine will contribute to the identification of new treatment targets.

Publication types

  • Editorial

MeSH terms

  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A / therapeutic use
  • Chronic Disease
  • Drug Design*
  • Fructose / analogs & derivatives
  • Fructose / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Migraine Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Migraine Disorders / physiopathology
  • Migraine Disorders / prevention & control
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Neuromuscular Agents / therapeutic use
  • Neuroprotective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Topiramate
  • Tryptamines / adverse effects
  • Tryptamines / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Neuromuscular Agents
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Tryptamines
  • Topiramate
  • Fructose
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A