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Actions of the 5-hydroxytryptamine 1 receptor agonist sumatriptan on interdigestive gastrointestinal motility in man.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacological studies of the enteric nervous system have shown the presence of several subtypes of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) receptor, which might be involved in control of the migrating motor complex. AIMS: To study the effect of sumatriptan, an agonist of enteric neuronal 5HT1p receptors, on interdigestive motility in man. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In 12 healthy subjects, interdigestive motility was recorded manometrically in the upper gastrointestinal tract. In seven subjects blood samples were drawn every 15 minutes for radioimmunoassay of motilin and somatostatin. After two phase 3s of the migrating motor complex, 6 mg of sumatriptan was administered subcutaneously. Recording continued until two more phase 3s had occurred. RESULTS: Sumatriptan induced a premature phase 3 in the jejunum after a median of 10 (8) minutes. The duration of the migrating motor complex cycle was shortened at the expense of phase 2. After sumatriptan, plasma somatostatin concentrations were reduced and gastric phase 3s were suppressed, although median motilin concentrations and the occurrence of plasma motilin peaks were not affected. Phase 3s of the migrating motor complex preceding sumatriptan were associated with motilin peaks, while phase 3s after sumatriptan were not. Furthermore, pretreatment with sumatriptan prevented the induction of a gastric phase 3 by the motilin agonist erythromycin. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of the 5HT1P receptor agonist sumatriptan induces a premature intestinal phase 3, suppresses gastric phase 3s, prevents induction of a gastric phase 3 by erythromycin, and reduces plasma somatostatin concentrations.

Adult↗

Lack of pharmacokinetic interaction between sumatriptan and naproxen.

Sumatriptan is a 5HT1D agonist used in the treatment of migraine. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, beta-blockers, and calcium channel-blocking antagonists are used in the prophylaxis of migraine. Hence, there is a need to investigate the interaction of these prophylactic drugs with sumatriptan. The interaction of sumatriptan with propranolol, flunarizine, pizotifen, and butorphanol were reported earlier. Naproxen is shown to be effective in prophylactic treatment of migraine. In this study, the authors have investigated the circadian rhythm effect of naproxen on the pharmacokinetics of sumatriptan at 1000 and 2200 hours. Twelve healthy volunteers were treated with 100 mg sumatriptan succinate either alone or along with 500 mg naproxen orally at either 1000 or 2200 hours in a randomized Latin square design with a washout period of 10 days. Serum samples were collected at predetermined time intervals and analyzed for unchanged sumatriptan by high-performance liquid chromatography. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by using model-independent methods. Naproxen had no statistically significant (p > 0.05) effect on any pharmacokinetic parameters of sumatriptan both at 1000 and 2200 hours treatment. The results of this study suggest that no alteration in the sumatriptan dosage will be necessary for migraine patients taking naproxen prophylactic therapy.

Adult↗

Nasal sumatriptan is effective in treatment of migraine attacks in children: A randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of nasal sumatriptan in migraine attacks of children and adolescents. METHODS: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-way crossover trial was conducted in three hospital outpatient departments, with 8 to 17 year olds diagnosed with migraine serving as subjects (International Headache Society 1988). A single dose of sumatriptan nasal spray and a matching placebo were administered at home during two attacks. The sumatriptan dose was 10 mg for a body weight of 20 to 39 kg and 20 mg for those with a body weight of >/==" BORDER="0">40 kg. The primary efficacy endpoint was headache relief by two grades on a 5-grade face scale at 2 hours. RESULTS: Eighty-three patients used both treatments and 11 only the first. At 2 hours, the primary endpoint was reached nearly twice as often after sumatriptan (n = 53/83; 64%) as after placebo (n = 32/83; 39%) (p = 0.003). Already at 1 hour, headache relief was seen more often after sumatriptan (n = 42/83; 51%) than after placebo (n = 24/83; 29%) (p = 0.014). The difference was even more obvious in patients who received the 20-mg dose as well as in the intention-to-treat analyses (n = 94). Other endpoints, including child's preference and using rescue medication, also favored sumatriptan. The most common adverse effect was a bad taste after sumatriptan, reported in 29% (n = 26/90) of the attacks. No serious adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSION: Nasal sumatriptan is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for migraine attacks in children over 8 years of age.

Administration, Intranasal↗

Effectiveness of sumatriptan in reducing productivity loss due to migraine: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of sumatriptan on migraine-related workplace productivity loss. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial, adult migraineurs self-injected 6 mg of sumatriptan or matching placebo to treat a moderate or severe migraine within the first 4 hours of a minimum of an 8-hour work shift. Outcome measures included productivity loss and number of patients returning to normal work performance 2 hours after injection and across the work shift, time to return to normal work performance, and time to headache relief. RESULTS: A total of 206 patients underwent screening, 140 (safety population) of whom returned for clinic treatment. Of these 140 patients, 119 received migraine treatment in the workplace (intent-to-treat population), 116 of whom comprised the study population. Of these 116 patients, 76 self-administered sumatriptan, and 40 self-administered placebo. Sumatriptan treatment tended to reduce median productivity loss 2 hours after injection compared with placebo (25.2 vs 29.9 minutes, respectively; P = .14). Significant reductions in productivity loss were obtained across the work shift after sumatriptan treatment compared with placebo (36.8 vs 72.6 minutes, respectively; P = .001). Significantly more sumatriptan-treated patients vs placebo-treated patients experienced shorter return to normal work performance at 2 hours (53/76 [70%] vs 12/40 [30%], respectively) and across the work shift (64/76 [84%] vs 23/40 [58%], respectively; P < .001). Significantly more sumatriptan-treated patients experienced headache relief 1 hour after injection compared with placebo-treated patients (48/76 [63%] vs 13/40 [33%], respectively; P = .004). CONCLUSION: Across an 8-hour work shift, sumatriptan was superior to placebo in reducing productivity loss due to migraine.

Adult↗

[Sumatriptan nasal spray for the treatment of cluster headache].

We report three cases with cluster headache treated with sumatriptan nasal spray. In all occasion, sumatriptan nasal spray showed meaningful relief in patients with cluster headache, although the efficacy were less than that of sumatriptan subcutaneous injection. Sumatriptan nasal spray needed 20 to 30 minutes to meaningful relief, while subcutaneous injection needed only 5 to 10 minutes. Recurrence of attack was more frequent in oxygen inhalation therapy than sumatriptan nasal spray. Sumatriptan nasal spray were constantly effective in both early stage and late stage of cluster periods. Sumatriptan nasal spray may shorten the admission period of severe case of cluster headache. Sumatriptan nasal spray may enable doctors to treat mild cases of cluster headache in their outpatient clinic.

Administration, Intranasal↗

Treatment of acute migraine with subcutaneous sumatriptan.

Sumatriptan succinate, a 5-HT1D receptor agonist, constricts human cranial arteries. Two parallel-group trials for treatment of acute migraines were conducted in the United States. Adult patients were randomized and given either 6 mg of sumatriptan succinate subcutaneously (n = 734) or placebo (n = 370). At 1 hour, sumatriptan was significantly more effective than placebo in reducing moderate or severe headache pain to mild or no pain (70% vs 22%), in completely relieving headaches (49% vs 9%), and in improving clinical disability (76% vs 34%). Sumatriptan also reduced nausea and photophobia significantly better than placebo. Patients with residual migraines received another injection; those who had originally received sumatriptan received either a second active injection (n = 187) or placebo (n = 178), while those who had received placebo received a second placebo injection (n = 335). Statistical evidence for benefit of second sumatriptan injection is absent. Adverse events associated with sumatriptan were tingling, dizziness, warm-hot sensations, and injection-site reactions. Sumatriptan is effective and well tolerated in patients with acute migraine.

Acute Disease↗

Patient preferences for migraine therapy: subcutaneous sumatriptan compared with other medications.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to identify, from the patient's perspective, the important attributes of a migraine therapy and to assess the performance of subcutaneous sumatriptan, aspirin, acetaminophen, and patients' usual therapies with respect to these attributes. METHODS: Six hundred forty-eight patients who had received subcutaneous sumatriptan (one or two doses, 6 mg per dose, for a single migraine episode) or placebo in a clinical trial completed questionnaires. RESULTS: According to patients, the four most important attributes of a migraine therapy are "how well it works," "how safe it is," "how fast it works," and "side effects." The least important attribute is "cost of drug." Subcutaneous sumatriptan received significantly more favorable scores than did aspirin, acetaminophen, or patients' usual therapies with respect to the attributes of how well it works, how fast it works, and number of doses needed to relieve pain. Subcutaneous sumatriptan was also rated more favorably than either aspirin or patients' usual therapies with respect to side effects. Acetaminophen and aspirin were rated significantly more favorably than subcutaneous sumatriptan on the attributes "easy to take" and "easy to buy." Asked which drug they would use again for migraine, more patients selected subcutaneous sumatriptan than any other single medication. More patients also ranked subcutaneous sumatriptan as the best overall performer compared with other migraine medications taken in the last 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that according to patients' preferences, subcutaneous sumatriptan possesses many of the attributes of an ideal migraine therapy.

Adult↗

[Evaluation of the efficacy of oral sumatriptan in the management of migraine attacks. Clinical results].

This italian multicentre, double blind, parallel groups study compared the efficacy, safety and tolerability of oral sumatriptan, given as new film-coated tablet, with placebo in the acute treatment of migraine. 88 Patients received placebo and 162 patients received sumatriptan 100 mg (plus an optional dose 2 h later if the headache persisted plus a further optional dose for recurrence within 24 h). Sumatriptan was significantly more effective than placebo at releiving headache at 2 h (51% versus 31%, P = 0.003) and 4 h (71% versus 35%, P < 0.001). Fewer sumatriptan-treated patients required a second dose compared with placebo-treated patients (49% versus 74%, P < 0.001). Sumatriptan was more effective than placebo at relieving nausea, vomiting and photophobia/phonophobia. Few patients were evaluable for treatment of headache recurrence, and statistical analysis was not possible. More sumatriptan-treated patients than placebo-treated patients reported adverse events (29% versus 16%) but the difference was not statistically significant. More of these events were mild to moderate in severity, of short duration and resolved without treatment. Sumatriptan had no clinically significant effect on blood pressure, heart rate, electrocardiogram or laboratory test results. It is concluded that oral sumatriptan 100 mg, given as a film-coated, tablet, provides an effective and well-tolerated acute treatment for migraine.

Acute Disease↗

Oral almotriptan vs. oral sumatriptan in the abortive treatment of migraine: a double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, optimum-dose comparison.

BACKGROUND: Almotriptan malate is a novel, selective serotonin(1B/D) agonist, or triptan, developed for the abortive treatment of migraine. In double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, it has been shown to be effective, well tolerated, and safe. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of almotriptan with that of the "standard triptan," sumatriptan succinate. The power calculation of the study was based on 24-hour headache recurrence, an efficacy measure in the abortive treatment of migraine, and on the occurrence of adverse events. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Subjects, aged between18 and 65 years, with migraine with or without aura but otherwise healthy, were randomized to take orally either almotriptan malate, 12.5 mg, or sumatriptan succinate, 50 mg. The medications were provided in identical-looking capsules to ensure blinding and were taken for the treatment of moderate or severe headache. Efficacy was determined in terms of (1) headache relief-a decrease in pain intensity to mild or no pain; (2) headache freedom-a decrease to no pain; (3) use of rescue medications, allowed after 2 hours; and (4) headache recurrence-moderate or severe pain returning within 24 hours after headache relief at 2 hours. Adverse events were collected for 96 hours after treatment and for safety evaluation, vital signs, blood tests, and electrocardiograms were performed at the screening and exit visits. RESULTS: Seventy-five investigators enrolled 1255 subjects of whom 1173 were treated (591 with almotriptan and 582 with sumatriptan). At 2 hours, almotriptan treatment provided headache relief in 58.0% of the subjects and sumatriptan treatment in 57.3%; headache freedom was provided by the medications in 17.9% and 24.6%, respectively (P =.005). Rescue medications were taken by 36.7% of the subjects in the almotriptan-treated group and by 33.2% in the sumatriptan-treated group; headaches returned to moderate or severe intensity in 27.4% and 24.0%, respectively. Treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 15.2% of the subjects in the almotriptan-treated group and in 19.4% in the sumatriptan-treated group (P =.06); treatment-related adverse events occurred in 9.1% and 15.5% of the subjects, respectively (P =.001), including chest pain, which occurred in 0.3% and 2.2%, respectively (P =.004). CONCLUSIONS: Almotriptan and sumatriptan are similarly effective in the abortive treatment of moderate or severe migraine headache; they are also similarly well tolerated and safe.

Administration, Oral↗

Inhibition of inflammation-induced thermal hypersensitivity by sumatriptan through activation of 5-HT(1B/1D) receptors.

Migraine is effectively treated by drugs acting via 5-HT(1B/1D) receptors; however, the antinociceptive effects of such agents have not been fully investigated, particularly in models in which sensitization may be present. The aim of these studies was to evaluate the effects of the 5-HT(1B/1D) receptor agonist sumatriptan in specific models of pain states: a mouse model of inflammation-induced thermal hyperalgesia and a rat model of nerve injury-induced thermal hyperalgesia. In female mice, following intraplantar injection of carrageenan 225 min earlier, sumatriptan (300 microg/kg intraperitoneally; i.p.) increased paw withdrawal latency (PWL) from 3.1 +/- 0.4 s in the saline group to 5.6 +/- 0.9 s, measured 240 min postcarrageenan (P < 0.05 ANOVA followed by post hoc Dunnett's test). A similar effect was seen in male mice. Sumatriptan was also effective in male mice when given i.p. and subcutaneously 15 min precarrageenan, with a maximum effect at 30 microg/kg (i.p. latency 7.4 +/- 1.3 s compared to saline group, 2.6 +/- 0.7 s; i.v. latency 5.9 +/- 0.8 s compared to saline group, 2.9 +/- 0.3 s; P < 0.05 ANOVA followed by post hoc Dunnett's test). The number of mice required to give a response that could be reliably attributed to sumatriptan (number needed to treat) was calculated using discriminant analysis and found to be 2.6. The ability of sumatriptan to attenuate the carrageenan-induced reduction in PWL was blocked by the mixed 5-HT(1B/1D) receptor antagonist GR-127935 (3 mg/kg i.p.) but not by the 5-HT(1B) receptor antagonist SB-224289 (10 mg/kg i.p.). Sumatriptan had no effect on thermal hyperalgesia induced by sciatic nerve ligation in the rat at any time point. These data demonstrate that sumatriptan attenuates the hypersensitivity to noxious thermal stimuli induced by intraplantar carrageenan.

Analysis of Variance↗

Treatment of acute cluster headache with 20 mg sumatriptan nasal spray--an open pilot study.

We investigated the efficacy and tolerability of 20 mg sumatriptan nasal spray in the acute treatment of cluster headache attacks in an open-label study. 10 patients met the criteria of the International Headache Society (IHS) for episodic or chronic cluster headache and were enrolled in our study. The primary efficacy measure was "pain free" 30 minutes after treatment. Secondary end-points included "headache response" (defined as headache improvement from "very severe", "severe" or moderate" pain to "mild" or "no" pain) 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes after treatment. We also assessed the participant's overall treatment satisfaction at the end of the study. Sumatriptan nasal spray was applied in 154 "moderate" to "very severe" cluster headache attacks. 30 minutes after nasal spray application, 50% of attacks were completely aborted and 58% of attacks responded to treatment. The overall efficacy of sumatriptan nasal spray was considered "excellent" in two, "good" in four, "reasonable" in two and "poor" in two patients. Eight patients indicated their intention to treat further attacks with intranasal sumatriptan. Seven patients were interviewed after a follow-up period of six months. Four patients continued to treat all cluster headache attacks with the intranasal sumatriptan formula, two patients had switched to subcutaneous sumatriptan and one patient was in remission since the end of the study. We conclude that 20 mg sumatriptan nasal spray might be an alternative therapy for the treatment of cluster headache attacks, but double-blind studies are needed to further evaluate its efficacy.

Administration, Intranasal↗

Pregnancy and perinatal outcomes in migraineurs using sumatriptan: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Sumatriptan is an acute treatment for migraine which is often used by women in their child-bearing years, and who become unexpectedly pregnant. Within the context of the post-marketing use of sumatriptan injection for the acute treatment of migraine, and in compliance with approved labeling, we wished to compare perinatal pregnancy outcomes in women who did and did not use the drug after conception. METHODS: Open-label, prospective study conducted in 12,339 migraineurs (including 9,861 women) whose demography and consumption pattern of sumatriptan injections were typical, and were predicted to include 150 pregnancies. Outcome of pregnancy was the end-point. RESULTS: There were 168 of 173 pregnancies that were well-documented. Sumatriptan was only used prior to conception in 92 cases. There were 76 first trimester exposures to sumatriptan. There were no differences in pregnancy outcome between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Perinatal and pregnancy outcome did not differ between patients who had and had not used sumatriptan after conception, at the resolution of these sample sizes. This study design complements the ongoing pregnancy registry, which is now widened to patients exposed to all formulations of sumatriptan.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

Efficacy and tolerability of sumatriptan in the treatment of multiple migraine attacks.

This cross-over, double blind, randomized, multicentre study evaluated the consistency of efficacy and safety of oral sumatriptan in 233 migraneurs. The patients received 50 mg oral sumatriptan or placebo for the treatment of 12 migraine attacks. Within each group of 4 attacks, three were treated with sumatriptan and one with placebo, according to a randomization list. Over all the attacks, the efficacy rate was statistically significant for sumatriptan against placebo at 2 or 4 hours (2 hours: sumatriptan 60%, PLO 38%, p < 0.001; 4 hours sumatriptan 79%, PLO 47%, p < 0.001). Oral sumatriptan was similarly effective at relieving the associated symptoms and at reducing clinical disability in most attacks. The incidence of adverse events did not differ between treatment groups. All the events recorded were mild to moderate as intensity and resolved spontaneously.

Adolescent↗

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the efficacy and tolerability of a 4-mg dose of subcutaneous sumatriptan for the treatment of acute migraine attacks in adults.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a single 4-mg dose of sumatriptan SC for the acute treatment of adult patients experiencing a migraine attack with moderate to severe pain. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, subjects included men and women aged 18 to 60 years who had migraine with or without aura, as defined by the 1988 International Headache Society criteria. Subjects received either sumatriptan 4 mg SC or placebo SC for a migraine attack with headache pain of moderate to severe intensity. The primary efficacy measurement was pain relief at 2 hours. Secondary efficacy measures included the severity of headache pain at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 90 minutes postadministration. Clinical assessments of pain severity and adverse events were made by way of questioning and observation of subjects and were completed at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 90, and 120 minutes postadministration. RESULTS: Five hundred seventy-seven subjects (87% female and 94% white) participated in this study. Three hundred eighty-four received sumatriptan and 193 received placebo. At 120 minutes postadministration, sumatriptan 4 mg SC was associated with greater proportions of patients who experienced pain relief (70% vs 22%; P<0.001) or were pain free (50% vs 11%; P<0.001). In addition, there were statistically significant differences between sumatriptan 4 mg SC and placebo for multiple secondary end points, including pain relief as early as 10 minutes postadministration (11% vs 6%; P=0.039), pain-free status as early as 30 minutes postadministration (10% vs 3%; P<0.001), nausea as early as 30 minutes postadministration (39% vs 49%; P=0.021), and photophobia as early as 10 minutes postadministration (80% vs 87%; P=0.046). The most common adverse events in the sumatriptan 4-mg SC and placebo groups, respectively, were injection-site reactions (43% and 15%), tingling (12% and 3%), dizziness or vertigo (10% and 5%), and warm or hot sensation (8% and 2%). Treatment groups were not statistically compared for adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Sumatriptan 4 mg SC was effective for the acute treatment of migraine attacks and was generally well tolerated in these patients.

Adolescent↗

Pharmacological analysis of contractile effects of eletriptan and sumatriptan on human isolated blood vessels.

Eletriptan, a second-generation triptan with high affinity for 5-HT(1B/1D) receptors, is highly effective in migraine, with or without aura. We compared the effects of eletriptan and sumatriptan on the human isolated middle meningeal and coronary arteries and saphenous vein, used as models for therapeutic efficacy and potential side effects, and have investigated the role of 5-HT(1B/1D) receptors in contractions induced by these triptans. Concentration-response curves to eletriptan and sumatriptan were constructed in the absence or presence of a selective 5-HT(1B/1D) receptor antagonist, N-[4-methoxy-3-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)phenyl]-3-methyl-4-(4-py rid yl) benzamide (GR125743). All three blood vessels constricted in response to eletriptan and sumatriptan, but the middle meningeal artery relaxed following the highest concentration (100 microM) of eletriptan. In the middle meningeal artery, GR125743 antagonised the contractions induced by both eletriptan (pEC(50): 7.34+/-0.13) and sumatriptan (pEC(50): 6.91+/-0.17) to a similar degree (pA(2): 8. 81+/-0.17 and 8.64+/-0.21, respectively). In the human coronary artery and saphenous vein, sumatriptan-induced contractions (pEC(50): 6.24+/-0.14 and 6.19+/-0.12, respectively) were also potently antagonised by GR125743 (pA(2): 8.18+/-0.27 and 8.34+/-0.12, respectively). The eletriptan-induced contractions of the human saphenous vein (pEC(50): 6.09+/-0.13) were antagonised less effectively by GR125743 (pK(B): 7.73+/-0.18), and those of the human coronary artery (pEC(50): 5.54+/-0.22) remained unaffected by GR125743 up to a concentration of 100 nM. These results suggest that (i) based on the differences in pEC(50) values, the cranioselectivity of eletriptan (63-fold) is higher than that of sumatriptan (5-fold) in coronary artery, (ii) the contractile effects of sumatriptan and eletriptan (lower concentrations) in the three blood vessels are mediated via the 5-HT(1B) receptor, and (iii) additional mechanisms seem to be involved in coronary artery and saphenous vein contractions and middle meningeal artery relaxation following high concentrations of eletriptan.

Adult↗

Serotonergic effects and extracellular brain levels of eletriptan, zolmitriptan and sumatriptan in rat brain.

In vivo microdialysis was used to assess the central serotonergic effects and extracellular brain levels of the 5-HT(1B/1D) receptor agonists eletriptan, zolmitriptan and sumatriptan in rats after intravenous and intracerebral administration, while their binding affinities and functional potencies were determined at 5-HT(1B), 5-HT(1D) and 5-HT(1A) receptors. In vitro studies showed that all three triptans are high affinity, full agonists at 5-HT(1B/1D) receptors, but that sumatriptan is functionally less potent as a 5-HT(1B/1D) agonist than zolmitriptan and eletriptan. Local intracortical perfusion with the compounds via the dialysis probe decreased cortical 5-HT (5-hydroxytryptamine, serotonin) release with ED(50) values of approximately 0.1 microM for eletriptan and zolmitriptan and 0.5 microM for sumatriptan. At 3.2 mg/kg i.v., both eletriptan and zolmitriptan decreased 5-HT levels by about 35%, while sumatriptan had no effect, despite the fact that maximal sumatriptan concentrations in cortical dialysates were higher (8.8 nM at 20 min) than those of zolmitriptan (5.9 nM at 20 min) and eletriptan (2.6 nM at 40 min). The observation that eletriptan and zolmitriptan produce almost identical central serotonergic effects, after intracerebral as well as after systemic administration, is in agreement with their comparable functional 5-HT(1B/1D) receptor agonist potencies and their free levels in cortical dialysates after 3.2 mg/kg i.v. On the other hand, the lack of central serotonergic effects of 3.2 mg/kg i.v. sumatriptan is likely due to its weaker functional 5-HT(1B/1D) receptor agonist potency than eletriptan and zolmitriptan, rather than lower brain levels, consistent with sumatriptan's fivefold lower potency after intracerebral administration.

Animals↗

Sumatriptan and lost productivity time: a time series analysis of diary data.

Two previously conducted clinical studies assessed lost nonworkplace activity time and lost workplace productivity time due to migraine symptoms in subjects using sumatriptan for 6 months to treat their migraines after a 12- to 18-week period of using their usual therapy without sumatriptan. Although statistically significant differences in lost nonworkplace activity time and lost workplace productivity time between the usual therapy and sumatriptan treatment periods were detected using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, this test could not determine whether differences were attributable to inherent trends in the data. This current study employed time series analysis, which detects and controls for preexisting trends in data, to further explore the possibility that the observed reductions in lost time in the two clinical studies were related to management of the subjects with sumatriptan. The intercepts and slopes of the computed linear models suggest that the initiation of sumatriptan therapy produced savings of 0.8 hours of nonworkplace activity time and 0.5 hours of workplace productivity time per patient per week. These savings were sustained throughout the sumatriptan treatment period. Preexisting trends in the data were not detected in the models. Thus the productivity gains are not associated with either time effects or the statistical phenomenon of regression to the mean, but variables that are extreme in initial measurements will tend to be closer to the center of the distribution in subsequent measurements. This strengthens the hypothesis that management of migraine with sumatriptan is associated with reductions in lost productivity time.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Single photon emission computed tomography of the brain with Tc-99m HMPAO during sumatriptan challenge in obsessive-compulsive disorder: investigating the functional role of the serotonin auto-receptor.

1. Symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) may be acutely exacerbated by administration of certain serotonin agonists Exacerbation of OCD symptoms by sumatriptan, a 5HT1D agonist (Zohar, 1993), is consistent with pre-clinical data suggesting that the serotonin auto-receptor plays an important role in this disorder (El Mansari et al, 1995). 2. In order to investigate the functional role of the serotonin auto-receptor in OCD, the authors undertook single photon emission computed tomography in OCD patients after administration of sumatriptan and placebo. The authors hypothesized that, as in the case of m-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP) challenge (Hollander et al, 1995), exacerbation of OCD symptoms would be accompanied by increased cortical metabolism and thus blood flow, and more specifically by increased activity in the orbitofrontal-striatal circuit. They also expected, that as in the case of mCPP challenge (Hollander et al, 1993), exacerbation of OCD symptoms would be associated with a relatively poor response to subsequent treatment with serotonin specific reuptake inhibitors. 3. Sumatriptan (100 mg orally) and placebo were administered on separate days to 14 patients who met DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for OCD, using a randomized double-blind design. After 90 minutes, patients were injected with Tc-99m HMPAO and underwent single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of the brain. Activity in regions of interest was calculated, and compared using repeated measures analysis of variance. Patients were subsequently treated with a serotonin specific reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). 4. Behavioral response to sumatriptan was heterogenous, with 4 patients showing acute exacerbation, and 4 patients demonstrating a decrease in symptoms. On sumatriptan challenge, there was a significant association between symptom exacerbation and decreased activity in frontal areas. There was an association between decreased activity in an inferior frontal area with worse response to treatment, and also patients with symptom exacerbation after sumatriptan had poorer response to SSRI treatment. 5. Heterogeneity of behavioral response to sumatriptan in OCD is consistent with previous studies demonstrating conflicting and heterogenous behavioral responses to serotonergic challenges (Hollander et al, 1992), and with underlying heterogeneity in the neurobiology of this disorder. 6. It may be hypothesized that increased frontal activity in some patients with OCD is itself a compensatory mechanism. In patients with such compensatory hyperactivity, administration of a serotonin auto-receptor agonist results in decreased frontal activity and exacerbation of OCD symptoms. These patients may also be less likely to respond to treatment with a SSRI. 7. Further work combining pharmacological challenge paradigms and functional imaging techniques in OCD may be helpful in elucidating the neurobiology of this complex disorder.

Adult↗