Prophylactic Activity of Cyproheptadine and Bellergal on Migraine Headache

Background: a wide range of preventive medications for migraineattacks, with varying efficacy is currently in use, studiescomparing the efficacies of these drugs would be of value in theproper treatment of the disease. the present study compared thefrequency, duration and intensity of migraine attacks during andfollowing treatment with cyproheptadine (4 mg, twice daily) orblellergal (belladonna 0, i mg, ergotamine 0,3 mg and phenobarbital20 mg).methods: 118 patients 15 to 45 year-old with migraine headacheswere randomly allocated to groups i (n=36), ii (n=40)and iii (n=42) and treated during three consecutive phases of45 days. in phase one all groups received two oral placebotablets daily. in phase two, group i continued with placebo,groups ii and iii received cyproheptadine (4 mg, twice daily)and bellergal (three tablets daily), and finally, in phase threeall groups were treated with placebo, respectively,results: cyproheptadine and bellergal treatments significantlyreduced the frequency, duration and intensity of migraineattacks. these parameters remained low during phasethree (placebo) in cyproheptadine treated patients as comparedto those who only received placebo, but there was a reboundeffect following discontinuation of bellergal.conclusion: cyproheptadine and bellergal seem to preventivemigraine attacks. cyproheptadine is a preferred choicebecause its effects were partially preserved following withdrawal.