[The effectiveness of ergotamine treatment in chronic headache disorders: a double-blind, randomized, crossover,...

Postulated mechanism of migraine headache is a result of vascular spasm (primary) and dilatation with edema of the perivascular space (secondary). Thus we use drugs not the only during acute phase of headache but in prevention, also. Drugs containing ergotamine are well known and were used for years in the treatment of migraines. In this study we tried to investigate the role of multicomponent drugs containing ergotamine in the treatment of migraine in the adult workers group.

Experiments were performed with the use of double blind, randomized, crossover, placebo controlled study. Drug, Hydacorn, is a multicomponent drug where one tablet contains 1 mg of dihydroergo-tamine, 40 mg of caffeine and 100 mg of diphenylhydantoine. 36 adults were enrolled (27 females and 9 males). Patients were examined 5 times every 2 weeks. During the 3rd visit the drug was changed to Hydacorn and placebo.

During the 1st visit the intensity of pain did not differ significantly. After start of treatment the pain intensity did not differ significantly versus the 1st visit in placebo group. In the Hydacorn group we observed the significant reduction of pain intensity vs 1st visit and vs placebo. After drug change the significant reduction was present vs placebo (during the 5th visit only) and vs the 1st visit. Pain intensity during the 4th visit did not differ significantly vs placebo probably because of long action time for ergotamine.

Our results suggest that Hydacorn is very effective and safe in the prevention of migraines.