Dihydroergotamine nasal spray during migraine attacks. A double-blind crossover study with placebo

Ergot derivatives have been used in the treatment of migraine for more than 50 years. We have compared the efficacy of dihydroergotamine (DHE) nasal spray with that of placebo in patients with classic or common migraine attacks. The study was performed in accordance with a double-blind, crossover design. In this study a great placebo effect was observed with a dose of 1.36 mg/attack, and the overall efficacy was rated by the patients to be 41% and 52% for placebo and DHE, respectively.