In Brief: Excedrin Migraine

Excedrin Migraine: Further research on long-term effects of Bristol-Myers Squibb's OTC treatment for migraine suggested by Robert Smith, MD, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, in a commentary published in the April 22/29 JAMA. The commentary discusses the analysis of three migraine trials recently published in the Archives of Neurology ("The Tan Sheet" Feb. 16, In Brief). Noting the article considered treatment of single headache episodes, Smith advises "more study will be needed on the effects of the medication when used for repeated attacks over longer periods of time." The commentary stresses the importance of consumer education regarding nonpharmacological migraine therapies and points to the need for medical supervision of OTC analgesics, noting "overuse may produce chronic daily headache and rebound headache." Excedrin Migraine labeling instructs consumers to stop using the product and consult a doctor if migraine pain worsens or new symptoms appear...