To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: AAN MEEING: Sumatriptan Linked To Life-Threatening Intestinal Condition URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/F9902.htm Doctor's Guide April 26, 1999
ROCHESTER, MN -- April 26, 1999 -- Mayo Clinic researchers have documented two cases of a potentially life-threatening intestinal condition they believe are associated with the use of sumatriptan, a medication commonly prescribed for relief of migraine headaches.
The case reports, presented at the American Academy of Neurology conference in Toronto, Ontario, Canada last week, document the association between use of sumatriptan and mesenteric ischemia, a condition characterized by acute cramping, abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea.
Previously, a possible link was suggested when eight cases of ischemic colitis temporally associated with sumatriptan use were reported to the Food and Drug Administration.
"Sumatriptan is one of the most commonly prescribed migraine medications," says Jerry Swanson, M.D., a Mayo Clinic neurologist. "It's estimated that 6.7 million prescriptions were written last year. For most people, this medication offers very effective pain relief. But in rare cases, it can cause some potentially fatal complications."
"We want to make sure that patients who take sumatriptan for the relief of their migraines are aware of the potential seriousness of these symptoms," says David Brandhagen, M.D., a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist and the senior author of the case reports. "Patients who take sumatriptan should discontinue the use of this medication and consult with their physician immediately if they experience abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.