Triptans--why once?
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Published on: May 10, 2017
Gal Ifergane1, Itzhak Wirguin, Pesach Shvartzman
1Headache Clinic, Department of Neurology, Soroka Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
Objective:
To evaluate triptan use patterns in a large Israeli HMO district.
Background:
Triptans, 5HT(1B/1D) agonists, provide an effective and safe relief of headache and accompanying symptoms during an acute migraine attack.
Method:
We retrospectively reviewed the computerized prescription filling data of 1498 patients who filled a first triptan prescription between July 2003 and June 2004.
Results:
During a 1-year follow-up period, 841 patients (56.1%) purchased triptans only once. Single-time users were significantly more prevalent among men and in patients younger than 30 or older than 70 years.
Conclusions:
It seems that many migraine patients choose not to use triptans after their first experience with the drug.
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