Effect of Prophylactic Administration of Nimodipine in Patients with Migraine

Abstract

SYNOPSIS The prophylactic effect of nimodipine in the treatment of migraine headache was assessed in a prospective, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind trial. Twenty‐six patients were studied during a 3‐month experimental period (placebo vs nimodipine) following a 1‐month period during which all patients received placebo. Results were tabulated using a “headache index”. A trend in favour of a beneficial nimodipine effect on the headache index was demonstrated which achieved statistical significance during one month of the follow‐up period. A similar trend with respect to the overall number of headaches was demonstrated and achieved statistical significance during two months of the follow‐up period. We conclude that nimodipine is a potentially useful agent in the prophylaxis of migraine headache.