Migraine prevention

    
      Re: Migraine prevention
    


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Posted by CCF Neuro MD on August 13, 1997 at 00:40:53:

In Reply to: Migraine prevention posted by Robert Ponton on July 17, 1997 at 13:47:39:

: I have been a migraine suffer for 12-15 years.I am 48 years old and other-
  wise healthy.I get 2-6 migraines a month and usually get full or partial
  relieve from Midren and sometimes Codiene. On rare occasian I have had to
  seek emergency room assistance.There I recieved Compazine intravenously and
  got relieve. I have recently read about preventing migraines with the use of
  the herb "feverfew".While looking for information on thisI have come across
  a suggestion that feverfew may cause a problem with the smooth muscles of
  the body. While I would certainly like to avoid these headaches,incontinence
  would be too high a price to pay. I would be grateful for any information
  on this. Thank you R Ponton
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Dear Robert:
European Feverfew (Tenacetum parthenium) extract has recently gained some popularity in some quarters as a herbal/alternative medication for migraine prophylaxis. It has been available in European countries (including UK) for several years in health stores, and has lately been available in America. The active constituent is believed to be a substance called sesquiterpine lactone, which has significant anti-platelet activity, anti-prostaglandin activity, and an irreversible inhibitory effect on smooth muscle in the lab. The extract was apparently efficacious in migraine prophylaxis in a study from UK published in 1988 in Lancet, without significant side effects over a few months.
The bottom line, however, is that we know very little about the efficacy, safety, and quality control of the drug; it is definitely not recommended.
There are several efficacious and safe prescription medications currently available for migraine prophylaxis, and your doctor could help you with those.
If you have any further questions or concerns, and live in the Cleveland area, I suggest that you see any of the headache specialists at the Cleveland Clinic. Drs. Gretter, Kunkel, Skobieranda, and Solomon are nationally renowned.
An appointment can be made at the Cleveland Clinic by calling up (216)44-5665, or [phone] toll free.
I wish you the best of luck.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options of your specific medical condition.