Two Medications Treat Migraine Better Than One

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While the introduction of medications known as triptans -- including sumatriptan -- has improved migraine management, some people still don't get relief, according to background information in the article.

And, according to Lewis Brandes, and another headache expert, Dr. Wade Cooper, director of the St. John's Health Chronic Headache and Migraine Institute in Madison Heights, Mich., many headache experts already recommend a combination of medications to combat migraine pain.

The current study included almost 3,000 people between 18 and 65 who suffer from migraines. The study participants, who were recruited at 118 clinics across the United States, were randomly assigned to one of four groups: the combination therapy (a single pill containing 85 milligrams sumatriptan and 500 milligrams naproxen sodium); 500 milligrams naproxen sodium (Aleve) alone; 85 milligrams sumatriptan (Imitrex) alone; or a placebo. They were told to take the medication when their migraine pain was moderate to severe in intensity.

More people reported short-term relief from headache pain and lessened sensitivity to lights and sounds on the combination therapy than on either drug alone or for the placebo. At 24 hours, results were similar, with more people on the combination therapy reporting sustained headache relief -- as many as 48 percent -- versus up to 35 percent on sumatriptan, 30 percent on naproxen sodium and 18 percent on placebo.

Because the combination drug would only be used on an as-needed basis, Lewis Brandes said she's not overly concerned that the medication would cause any of the gastrointestinal side effects, such as stomach bleeding, that can occur with long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as naproxen.

"We didn't see any real increase in GI symptoms," said Lewis Brandes, who did add that she wouldn't prescribe this medication for someone with a history of ulcers.

The bottom line, according to Cooper, is that "when you combine naproxen with Imitrex, it not only tends to help it be more effective, it may help Imitrex work faster."