Verapamil Prophylaxis of Migraine
A Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
- Capt Glen D. Solomon, MC;
- Maj J. Griffith Steel, MC;
- Capt Leo J. Spaccavento, MC
- USAF; USAF; USAF
- From the Department of Internal Medicine, US Air Force Medical Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (Dr Solomon); and the Departments of Internal Medicine (Drs Solomon and Spaccavento) and Neurology (Dr Steel), Wright State University School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio. Dr Solomon is now with the Department of Internal Medicine, US Air Force Medical Center, Scott AFB, III. Dr Spaccavento is now with the Division of Cardiology, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, Calif.
Abstract
We undertook a double-blind, placebo-controlled study to determine the effectiveness of verapamil hydrochloride for the prophylaxis of migraine. Twelve patients were given either verapamil hydrochloride, 80 mg four times daily, or placebo in random order during two consecutive three-month periods. Migraine frequency, severity, and duration were quantified by daily logs and monthly questionnaires. Ten of the 12 patients had fewer migraines during verapamil therapy. Migraine frequency decreased from 6.7 to 3.8 migraines per patient per month, for a mean decrease of 49%. Headache unit index fell from an average of 0.61 to 0.44. We conclude that verapamil is effective in the prophylaxis of migraine and that verapamil might be considered one alternative in the development of a regimen for the prophylaxis of migraine.
(JAMA 1983;250:2500-2502)
Footnotes
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Read before the American Association for the Study of Headache, Toronto, June 25, 1983.
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The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not represent the policies or opinions of the US Air Force or the Department of Defense.
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Reprint requests to Department of Internal Medicine, US Air Force Medical Center, Scott AFB, IL 62225 (Dr Solomon).
