Randomised trial, 2010
Does a sumatriptan and naproxen combination help menstrual migraine and period pain?
Yes, the combination prevented prostaglandins from rising during attacks, unlike placebo. This was a very small pilot study with only 4 women.
What they did
4 women with menstrual migraine and period pain took either the combination or placebo at the start of a migraine. Saliva was collected at the start and 2 and 4 hours later.
What they found
In women receiving placebo, several prostaglandins rose over 2 to 4 hours (PGD2, PGF2, and TXA2 at both time points, and PGE2 at 4 hours). In women receiving the sumatriptan and naproxen combination, most prostaglandins did not rise at either time point, though TXA2 still increased at 4 hours.
What it means for you
The drug combination may work partly by preventing the rise in prostaglandins that trigger pain during menstrual migraines. This is a pilot study with only 4 women, so the findings need confirmation in larger studies before drawing strong conclusions.
4
women studied
2 and 4 hours
time after treatment when saliva was sampled
About the study
- Original title
- Changes in salivary prostaglandin levels during menstrual migraine with associated dysmenorrhea
- Authors
- Durham PL, Vause CV, Derosier F et al.
- Journal
- Headache
- Year
- 2010
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 4
- What was tested
- Sumatriptan and naproxen sodium combination tablet
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1111/j.1526-4610.2010.01657.x
Topics
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