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Updated: Apr 29, 2026
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3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
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Zolmitriptan for acute migraine attacks in adults
Sarah Bird1, Sheena Derry, R Andrew Moore
1Lincoln College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|May 23, 2014
Summary
Zolmitriptan effectively treats migraine attacks, offering pain relief comparable to sumatriptan. However, it is associated with a higher incidence of mild to moderate adverse events compared to placebo.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Migraine is a prevalent and disabling neurological condition.
- Zolmitriptan is a triptan-class medication used for acute migraine treatment.
- It functions differently than standard analgesics like paracetamol.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of zolmitriptan.
- Comparison against placebo and other active migraine treatments.
- Focus on acute migraine attacks in adult populations.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of randomized, double-blind, controlled trials.
- Searched multiple databases including CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and clinical trial registries.
- Included studies with at least 10 participants per arm.
Main Results:
- Zolmitriptan demonstrated superior efficacy over placebo for all measured outcomes.
- Oral zolmitriptan (2.5 mg and 5 mg) showed efficacy comparable to oral sumatriptan (50 mg).
- Adverse events were generally mild, transient, and dose-dependent, occurring more frequently with zolmitriptan.
Conclusions:
- Zolmitriptan is an effective abortive therapy for migraine attacks.
- It provides comparable headache relief to sumatriptan but with increased adverse events.
- Individual responses may vary, necessitating personalized treatment approaches.
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