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ABSTRACT: Objective
To compare the effectiveness and side effects of migraine prophylactic medications.Design
We performed a network meta-analysis. Data were extracted independently in duplicate and quality was assessed using both the JADAD and Cochrane Risk of Bias instruments. Data were pooled and network meta-analysis performed using random effects models.Data sources
PUBMED, EMBASE, Cochrane Trial Registry, bibliography of retrieved articles through 18 May 2014.Eligibility criteria for selecting studies
We included randomized controlled trials of adults with migraine headaches of at least 4 weeks in duration.Results
Placebo controlled trials included alpha blockers (n = 9), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (n = 3), angiotensin receptor blockers (n = 3), anticonvulsants (n = 32), beta-blockers (n = 39), calcium channel blockers (n = 12), flunarizine (n = 7), serotonin reuptake inhibitors (n = 6), serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (n = 1) serotonin agonists (n = 9) and tricyclic antidepressants (n = 11). In addition there were 53 trials comparing different drugs. Drugs with at least 3 trials that were more effective than placebo for episodic migraines included amitriptyline (SMD: -1.2, 95% CI: -1.7 to -0.82), -flunarizine (-1.1 headaches/month (ha/month), 95% CI: -1.6 to -0.67), fluoxetine (SMD: -0.57, 95% CI: -0.97 to -0.17), metoprolol (-0.94 ha/month, 95% CI: -1.4 to -0.46), pizotifen (-0.43 ha/month, 95% CI: -0.6 to -0.21), propranolol (-1.3 ha/month, 95% CI: -2.0 to -0.62), topiramate (-1.1 ha/month, 95% CI: -1.9 to -0.73) and valproate (-1.5 ha/month, 95% CI: -2.1 to -0.8). Several effective drugs with less than 3 trials included: 3 ace inhibitors (enalapril, lisinopril, captopril), two angiotensin receptor blockers (candesartan, telmisartan), two anticonvulsants (lamotrigine, levetiracetam), and several beta-blockers (atenolol, bisoprolol, timolol). Network meta-analysis found amitriptyline to be better than several other medications including candesartan, fluoxetine, propranolol, topiramate and valproate and no different than atenolol, flunarizine, clomipramine or metoprolol.Conclusion
Several drugs good evidence supporting efficacy. There is weak evidence supporting amitriptyline's superiority over some drugs. Selection of prophylactic medication should be tailored according to patient preferences, characteristics and side effect profiles.
SUBMITTER: Jackson JL
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4501738 | biostudies-literature | 2015
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Jackson Jeffrey L JL Cogbill Elizabeth E Santana-Davila Rafael R Eldredge Christina C Collier William W Gradall Andrew A Sehgal Neha N Kuester Jessica J
PloS one 20150714 7
<h4>Objective</h4>To compare the effectiveness and side effects of migraine prophylactic medications.<h4>Design</h4>We performed a network meta-analysis. Data were extracted independently in duplicate and quality was assessed using both the JADAD and Cochrane Risk of Bias instruments. Data were pooled and network meta-analysis performed using random effects models.<h4>Data sources</h4>PUBMED, EMBASE, Cochrane Trial Registry, bibliography of retrieved articles through 18 May 2014.<h4>Eligibility ...[more]