Randomised trial, 2004
Does rofecoxib prevent migraines around menstruation?
Yes, rofecoxib significantly reduced how often migraines occurred, cutting them roughly in half. Intensity and duration did not improve.
What they did
14 women with migraines around their period were randomly given 25 mg or 50 mg of rofecoxib daily for 10 days, starting 5 days before menstruation. They continued for 2 consecutive menstrual cycles and recorded headaches in a diary.
What they found
Average migraines per cycle dropped from 5.6 to 2.6 (P=.005). Eight women (57%) had at least 50% reduction in migraine frequency. Headache intensity, duration, and functional impairment did not significantly improve. Both doses were well tolerated.
What it means for you
Rofecoxib appears effective at reducing how often menstrual migraines occur but does not make them less painful or shorter. This is a small pilot study, so larger studies are needed. Both doses worked similarly.
14
women studied
5.6 to 2.6
migraines per cycle (before to after)
57%
women with 50% or more reduction
About the study
- Original title
- Rofecoxib in the prevention of perimenstrual migraine: an open-label pilot trial
- Authors
- Von Seggern RL, Mannix LK, Adelman JU
- Journal
- Headache
- Year
- 2004
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 14
- What was tested
- Rofecoxib 25 mg or 50 mg daily for 10 days before and during menstruation, for 2 cycles
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1111/j.1526-4610.2004.04033.x
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