Nicardipine in the prevention of migraine headaches

The subjects, 104 patients who had experienced more than two migraine episodes per month during the previous 6 months, received 60 mg of nicardipine daily for 2 months in an uncontrolled, Phase-IV study. Eighty-nine patients (mean age, 40 years; 16 with and 73 without aura; 60 women) completed the treatment regimen. The patients' blood pressure did not change during treatment. The mean number of migraine attacks was reduced significantly from 6.7 per month during the 3 months before treatment to 4.0 per month during treatment. The number of severe attacks was also reduced significantly. The patients' subjective ratings of the frequency and intensity of the attacks and their need for analgesia were reduced significantly from before to after treatment. Side effects (flushing and shortness of breath) were reported by four patients. It is concluded that nicardipine is safe and effective in the prevention of migraine attacks.