[Double blind study of migraine therapy with etilefrine pivalate]

In a double-blind trial of 3 months 24 hypotensive patients suffering from migraine were treated with etilefrine pivalate (K 30 052, Ep, 20 mg p.o.) or dihydroergotamine (DHE, 5 mg) or placebo. The number of attacks of migraine was significantly reduced after the 3-month treatment with Ep resp. DHE comparing with placebo. Duration of attacks, intensity and number of additional analgetic drugs were also clearly reduced after medication of Ep and DHE - in contrast to placebo medication. Effectiveness and tolerance of Ep were estimated well and occurring side-effects were only of short duration. Thus the antihypotonics Ep and DHE offer an effective therapeutic scheme for migraine in hypotensive patients. This is in accordance with the fact that hypotension plays an important role in the occurrence of migraine.