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Treatment of Perimenstrual Migraine with Triptans: an Update

  • Perimenstrual Headache (S Evers, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Pure menstrual migraine (PMM) and menstrually related migraine (MRM) are difficult challenges in migraine management. Triptans are a class of highly selective serotonin receptor agonists, which interfere with the pathogenesis of migraine and are effective in relieving the associated neurovegetative symptoms. In recent years triptans have been extensively proposed for the treatment of severe, disabling, and recurrent perimenstrual migraine attacks. This review summarizes the different levels of recommendations for the use of triptans in the treatment of perimenstrual migraine. This review is also intended to offer an updated reasonable guide to physicians treating perimenstrual migraine in daily practice.

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Disclosures

B. Casolla: none; L. Lionetto: none; S. Candela: none. Dr. Lidia D’Alonzo has received travel expense compensation from Pfizer. Dr. Andrea Negro has received travel expense compensation from Menarini and Pfizer. Dr. Maurizio Simmaco has received payment for the development of educational presentations from Diatech Pharmacogenomics. Dr. Paolo Martelletti is a member of an advisory board to Allergan, Inc.; has received grants, honoraria, and/or research support from ACRAF, Allergan, and Almirall; has received payment for the development of educational presentations from Allergan, ACRAF Angelini, Almirall, and Guidotti; and has received travel expense compensation from Nevro Corporation, Menarini, and the Lifting The Burden campaign.

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Author notes

  1. Andrea Negro

    Present address: Stroke and Neurovascular Regulation Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sapienza University, Advanced Molecular Diagnostic Unit, NESMOS Department, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy

    Barbara Casolla, Luana Lionetto, Serena Candela & Maurizio Simmaco

  2. Sapienza University, Regional Referral Headache Center, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035, 00189, Rome, Italy

    Lidia D’Alonzo, Andrea Negro & Paolo Martelletti

Authors
  1. Barbara Casolla
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  4. Lidia D’Alonzo
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  7. Paolo Martelletti
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Paolo Martelletti.

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Casolla, B., Lionetto, L., Candela, S. et al. Treatment of Perimenstrual Migraine with Triptans: an Update. Curr Pain Headache Rep 16, 445–451 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-012-0280-0

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