Lisuride as a migraine prophylactic in children: an open clinical trial

Lisuride is an ergot derivative which acts on serotonin and dopamine receptors at both peripheral and central levels. According to the central theory of headache, lisuride is an active prophylactic drug in adult headache sufferers. Because of its activity on dopamine receptors, a hypotensive action has been observed after acute and chronic administration of high doses of the drug in adults. An open trial on 45 migrainous children was carried out, to compare lisuride with pizotiphene treatment. Some 23 children were treated with lisuride and 22 with pizotiphene for 42 days. No statistically significant difference in therapeutic results between the two groups was found. Eight migrainous children were treated with a single oral dose of lisuride (0.0250 mg) and arterial blood pressure was measured before and after the drug. No significant change in either supine or orthostatic blood pressure was recorded in pre-drug and post-drug values. This study shows that lisuride is an effective and well-tolerated prophylactic drug in migrainous children.