Comparative Trial of Serotonin Antagonists in the Management of Migraine

Abstract

The effectiveness of five different serotonin antagonists in the prevention of migraine was compared in 290 patients followed for periods of up to three years. Methysergide 3-6 mg. daily was most effective, with 20% of treated patients becoming headache-free and a further 44% remaining more than “half improved.” The corresponding figures for BC105 were 10% and 40%, respectively. The results with BC105 were significantly better than those with placebo (P<0·02). The total improvement rates with methdilazine (45%) and cyproheptadine (43%) were better than those with placebo (32%) but did not achieve statistical significance. A new preparation, methylergol carbamide maleate, which is chemically related to methysergide, did not give better results than placebo.