Clinical Medicine Reviews in Therapeutics

Migraine is a common disabling neurological disorder, often starting in children and adolescents. Triptans, a class of selective 5HT1b/d receptor agonists, have been shown to be effective and well-tolerated as acute therapy in adult migraineurs.

Data examining efficacy and tolerability of triptans in adolescents are limited compared with adults.

Almotriptan has recently been approved by the USA regulatory authorities (FDA) for the acute treatment of migraine headache in adolescent patients (age 12 to 17 years).

A double-blind placebo-controlled, parallel group, multicenter trial demonstrated that oral almotriptan in effective and well tolerated in adolescents, with the 12,5 mg dose associated with the most favourable profile. The aim of this review is to give an overview of clinical data about efficacy and safety of oral Almotriptan in adolescents.