Efficacy of zolmitriptan nasal spray in management of acute migraine

BACKGROUND: Migraine is a very common neurological disorder. Treatment of acute attack of migraine is difficult. Non specific treatment includes various analgesic preparations having incomplete pain relieving effect with lot of side effects. Specific treatment for acute migraine attacks includes triptans and ergotamines. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of zolmitriptan nasal spray in management of acute migraine. METHODS: In the present investigation zolmitriptan nasal spray is administered to patients having acute migraine attack. Visual analogue score was done every hour for headache and other symptoms. RESULTS: Headache, photophobia, phonophobia, nausea and disability are relieved completely in 60%, 60%, 50%, 80%, 75% cases respectively and partially in 25%, 20%, 35%, 15%, 15% respectively. Mild side effects which occurred after treatment are well tolerated by 90% of patients. CONCLUSION: Zolmitriptan nasal spray not only reduces headache in 85% but it also reduces other symptoms of migraine like photophobia, phonophobia, nausea and disabilities.