Controlled clinical trial of ergotamine tartrate

A double-blind controlled clinical trial of cross-over design for the treatment of headache was conducted in 88 women identified during a community survey as having headaches with the features of migraine. Of 79 subjects who completed the trial, 40 benefited from oral ergotamine tartrate and 46 benefited from the placebo. There was no evidence that ergotamine in doses of 2 or 3 mg. was more effective than the placebo. Ergotamine aggravated the attack significantly more often than the placebo. Neither the colour of the tablets nor the order of therapy significantly affected the results of the treatment.