Migraine prevention with timolol. A double-blind crossover study
S. Stellar, S. P. Ahrens, A. R. Meibohm and S. A. Reines
One hundred seven patients (77 women and 30 men) with migraine headache
were given prophylactic treatment with timolol maleate, 20 to 30 mg/day, or
matching placebo during a 20-week, double-blind crossover study. Among the
94 patients who completed the study, timolol was significantly better than
placebo in terms of decrease in frequency of headaches from baseline,
numbers of patients who had a 50% reduction in headache frequency, global
response, and patient preference. Overall global response rates were 65%
with timolol compared with 40% with placebo. The severity and duration of
headaches that occurred were unchanged. Few side effects were reported with
either timolol or placebo. The study demonstrates that the beta-blocker
timolol is a safe and effective treatment in patients with frequent
migraine headaches.
