PROPRANOLOL USED IN PROPHYLAXIS OF MIGRAINE IN CHILDREN

Abstract

About 4 per cent of schoolchildren suffer from migraine. In some cases the attacks can be frequent and severe. Often symptomatic and prophylactic treatments are either ineffective or cause pronounced side effects. There have been reports on studies in which a prophylactic effect on migraine by propranolol has been noted. This beta-receptor blocking agent has been tested in a double-blind single crossover study in 32 children aged 7–16 with migraine. Propranolol had an excellent prophylactic effect on migraine attacks. Since propranolol does not cause serious side effects provided certain patients are excluded, it seems justifiable to recommend this preparation where prophylactic therapy is indicated in cases of severe and frequent migraine.]