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Eletriptan Appears Superior To Sumatriptan In Migraine Relief

HOUSTON, TX -- March 20, 2003 -- A new head-to-head study of more than 2,000 patients, published today in the journal Headache, confirms previously published results that show greater efficacy of eletriptan (Relpax®) 40 mg compared to sumatriptan 100 mg at numerous clinical endpoints, including headache response, relief of associated symptoms and in restoring patients' ability to perform daily activities. The study, which is one of the largest conducted for migraine treatment, was supported by a grant from Pfizer Inc.

"Results of this study, taken together with another previously published study, again show the excellent efficacy of the eletriptan 40 mg dose compared to the highest therapeutic dose -- 100 mg -- of sumatriptan," said Ninan T. Mathew, M.D., director of the Houston Headache Clinic in Texas, who was principal investigator of the study.

Patients taking eletriptan 40 mg achieved higher headache response rates vs. those taking sumatriptan 100 mg and placebo at both 2 hours (67% vs. 59% vs. 26%) and 1 hour post-dose (34% vs. 27% vs. 11%). These differences were statistically significant.

Treatment with eletriptan 40 mg compared to sumatriptan 100 mg and placebo was also associated with a greater percentage of patients free of the associated symptoms of nausea (74% vs. 67% vs. 57%), photophobia (71% vs. 63% vs. 44%) and phonophobia (74% vs. 67% vs. 50%) at 2 hours post-dose.

In addition, at 2 hours post-dose, 68% of patients treated with eletriptan 40 mg had their ability to perform daily activities restored vs. 61% taking sumatriptan 100 mg and 31% taking placebo. These differences were statistically significant.

Both eletriptan and sumatriptan were well tolerated and most adverse events were mild and transient. The most common adverse events were nausea (11.9% eletriptan vs. 14.7% sumatriptan vs. 12.6% placebo), vomiting (5.9% eletriptan vs. 5.8% sumatriptan vs. 10.7% placebo), photophobia (4.1% eletriptan vs. 4.6% sumatriptan vs. 5.6% placebo).

This randomized, double-blind, parallel-group outpatient study, which included 2,113 male and female migraine patients, was conducted in 166 centers worldwide.

It is estimated that more than 28 million Americans suffer from migraine. The prevalence of migraine peaks at approximately 40 years of age, making it most common during peak productive years of 25-55. One study published in 1999 estimates that migraine costs American employers about $13 billion a year because of missed workdays and impaired work function.


SOURCE Houston Headache Clinic

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