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The Journal of Headache and Pain logoLink to The Journal of Headache and Pain
. 2007 Jun 11;8(3):175–179. doi: 10.1007/s10194-007-0386-7

Rizatriptan vs. ibuprofen in migraine: a randomised placebo-controlled trial

Usha Kant Misra 1,, Jayantee Kalita 1, Rama Kant Yadav 1
PMCID: PMC3476139  PMID: 17563841

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of rizatriptan and ibuprofen in migraine. The study was a randomised placebo-controlled trial in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Migraine patients with <8 attacks/months were included. One hundred and fifty-five migraine patients were randomised to rizatriptan 10 mg (53), ibuprofen 400 mg (52) and placebo (50). Efficacy was assessed by headache relief, and headache freedom at 2 h and 24 h. Two-hour headache relief, was noted in 73% in rizatriptan, 53.8% in ibuprofen and 8% in placebo groups. Headache freedom was achieved in 37.7% in rizatriptan, 30.8% in ibuprofen and 2% in placebo groups. Rizatriptan was superior to ibuprofen and placebo in relieving headache at 2 h but not at 24 h. Side effects were noted in 9 patients in rizatriptan, 8 in ibuprofen and 3 in placebo, all of which were nonsignificant. Rizatriptan and ibuprofen are superior to placebo. Rizatriptan is superior to ibuprofen in relieving headache, associated symptoms and functional disability.

Keywords: Migraine, Rizatriptan, Acute attack, Randomised controlled trial, Treatment

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