Successful migraine prophylaxis with naproxen sodium

Abstract

Naproxen sodium, a potent inhibitor of prostaglandin biosynthesis and platelet aggregation, was studied for efficacy in migraine prophylaxis in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. On naproxen treatment, 52% of the patients had no severe headaches, whereas 19% had no severe headaches during placebo. Naproxen sodium was much better than placebo when patients' diaries were reviewed for severity of attacks, nausea, vomiting, activity reduction, duration of headache, and decreased use of therapeutic medication. The degree of platelet inhibition did not correlate with efficacy in preventing headache. Naproxen sodium can be recommended as a drug of first choice for migraine prevention.