Treatment of perimenstrual migraine with triptans: an update

Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2012 Oct;16(5):445-51. doi: 10.1007/s11916-012-0280-0.

Abstract

Pure menstrual migraine (PMM) and menstrually related migraine (MRM) are difficult challenges in migraine management. Triptans are a class of highly selective serotonin receptor agonists, which interfere with the pathogenesis of migraine and are effective in relieving the associated neurovegetative symptoms. In recent years triptans have been extensively proposed for the treatment of severe, disabling, and recurrent perimenstrual migraine attacks. This review summarizes the different levels of recommendations for the use of triptans in the treatment of perimenstrual migraine. This review is also intended to offer an updated reasonable guide to physicians treating perimenstrual migraine in daily practice.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Migraine Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Migraine Disorders / epidemiology
  • Migraine Disorders / physiopathology
  • Premenstrual Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Premenstrual Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Premenstrual Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / methods
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / trends
  • Sumatriptan / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tryptamines / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Tryptamines
  • almotriptan
  • Sumatriptan