Efficacy of subcutaneous sumatriptan in repeated episodes of migraine

This double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, crossover study investigated the efficacy and tolerability of sumatriptan administered for up to three separate migraine attacks. One hundred twenty adults received sumatriptan (SC, 6 mg; three attacks) and placebo (one attack). Patients completed questionnaires assessing the impact of migraine on their lives and the performance of sumatriptan relative to their usual acute therapies. Sumatriptan statistically outperformed placebo on all efficacy measures, including pain severity; presence/absence of nausea, vomiting, phonophobia, and photophobia; rescue medication use; and clinical disability. Efficacy was consistently maintained with repeated administration. For all attacks, pain relief 90 minutes postdose occurred in 86% to 90% of sumatriptan-treated patients, compared with 9% to 38% of placebo-treated patients. Sumatriptan was well tolerated, and the frequency and severity of adverse events did not change with repeated administration. Patients' perceptions of sumatriptan were consistent with clinical data demonstrating the drug's high degree of efficacy and tolerability.