Table 1.
Drug | Available Studies | Main Findings |
---|---|---|
Single drug | ||
Frovatriptan | 5 RCTs vs. other triptans [40,41,42]; 1 OLS | Early relief: superior to placebo, equivalent to other triptans Sustained relief: superior to almotriptan, rizatriptan, zolmitriptan Non-headache symptoms: effective on nausea and phonophobia, not on other symptoms Adverse events: comparable to placebo Other outcomes: higher patient satisfaction with frovatriptan compared with previous treatments |
Sumatriptan | 3 RCTs [33,34,35] | Early relief: superior to placebo Sustained relief: comparable to placebo Non-headache symptoms: effective on photophobia and phonophobia Adverse events: comparable to placebo |
Naratriptan | 1 RCT [37] | Early relief: superior to placebo Sustained relief: superior to placebo Non-headache symptoms: superior to placebo for all symptoms Adverse events: comparable to placebo Other outcomes: superior to placebo in ability to carry on daily activities and patient satisfaction |
Zolmitriptan | 1 RCT [38] | Early relief: superior to placebo Adverse events: comparable to placebo |
Almotriptan | 1 RCT [39] | Superior to placebo in pain-free status at 2 and 24 h; significant reduction in nausea and photophobia; adverse events comparable to placebo |
Combination drugs | ||
Sumatriptan + naproxen | 5 RCTs [50,51,52] | Early relief: superior to placebo Sustained relief: superior to placebo, especially with comorbid dysmenorrhea Adverse events: comparable to placebo Other outcomes: patient satisfaction, productivity, quality of life |
Frovatriptan + dexketoprofen | 1 RCT [53] | Early relief: superior to frovatriptan alone Sustained relief: superior to frovatriptan alone Adverse events: comparable to frovatriptan alone |