A new clinical trial led by researchers at UCLA and the Mayo Clinic has shown that rizatriptan, a drug commonly used to treat migraines, does not provide significant relief for the acute symptoms of vestibular migraine.
Vestibular migraine, characterized by episodes of intense vertigo, affects up to 2.7% of the population and is a leading reason patients seek care at specialized dizziness clinics. Despite its prevalence, the use of migraine drugs like triptans in treating this condition has often been based on limited evidence. Previous studies suggested potential benefits but were not robust enough to confirm their effectiveness.
The study, titled “Rizatriptan vs. Placebo for Attacks of Vestibular Migraine,” was published in JAMA Neurology. It involved a double-blind, randomized clinical trial to evaluate rizatriptan, a fast-acting triptan, for treating vestibular migraine attacks.
Researchers recruited participants from two renowned neurological centers: the Mayo Clinic and UCLA. A total of 222 adults met the criteria for vestibular migraine, with 134 participants entering the treatment phase. These participants experienced 204 migraine attacks during the trial.
The participants were randomly assigned to receive either 10 mg of rizatriptan or a placebo when symptoms of vertigo or dizziness became moderate or severe. The study measured the reduction in vertigo and dizziness one hour after treatment.
Results showed no significant difference between rizatriptan and placebo. At the one-hour mark, 48.3% of attacks treated with rizatriptan showed improvement in vertigo, compared to 56.8% with placebo. The difference was statistically insignificant. Similar results were found for dizziness, headache, and nausea.
The trial found no serious side effects, but participants who received rizatriptan reported more frequent fatigue and drowsiness, which are common side effects of the medication. Medication usage was similar in both groups.
In conclusion, the researchers stated that rizatriptan did not offer any meaningful relief for vestibular migraine symptoms, particularly within the first hour of treatment. They emphasized that the results do not support the routine use of rizatriptan for treating vestibular migraine attacks.
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