Aspirin and migraines
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
Acetysalicylic acid is as effective as the Rx medication sumatriptan in relieving both migraine headaches and their symptoms, according to two studies presented in association with the Aspirin Award 2003 meeting in Fiuggi, Italy, Sept. 12. Approximately 312 patients were randomized to take two tablets of Bayer's effervescentAspirin Migraine (1,000 mg ASA), 50 mg sumatriptan, 400 mg ibuprofen or placebo. After two hours, "headaches were less severe or had disappeared altogether" in 52.2% of patients taking aspirin, Bayer states. Ibuprofen and sumatriptan both demonstrated similar effects. The second study found that two hours after administration, almost 44% of patients in the aspirin arm "were free of accompanying symptoms." Bayer was given the go-ahead to market Aspirin Migraine containing 500 mg ASA per tablet in October 2001, but has yet to market the product (1"The Tan Sheet" Nov. 5, 2001, p. 12)...