Methysergide for Prevention of Headache

Abstract

IN 1959 Sicuteri¹ first reported the effectiveness of methysergide‡ in the prevention of migraine. Since then several investigators have confirmed his findings,^{2 3 4 5} the drug has been extensively studied, and has appeared on the American market under the name of Sansert.‡ The mechanism whereby methysergide prevents headache is not yet fully determined. There are a number of current theories. One is that the drug is a powerful serotonin antagonist and may act by neutralizing the effects of serotonin either in the blood vessels and tissues or in the central nervous system.^{1 , 6 , 7} Secondly, it is capable of antagonizing the inflammatory effects of . . .