The Effectiveness of Almotriptan Malate (AXERT®) 12.5 Milligrams When Taken at the Onset of Migraine Pain

AXERT has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of migraine headache with or without aura in adults. Early treatment of a migraine headache, independent of headache pain intensity symptoms, may provide the optimal therapeutic response. This is a multi-center, open label study to test the efficacy (effectiveness) and tolerability of AXERT when treating a migraine at the onset of headache pain versus treating a migraine only after the headache pain has reached at least moderate intensity. Patients will self-administer 12.5 milligrams of AXERT for the treatment of 2 migraine headaches. Centers will be randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment interventions in which patients will sequentially treat both migraine headaches with 12.5 milligrams of AXERT using either the early treatment regimen (ET; ie, at the onset of pain) or conditional treatment regimen (CT; ie, after the headache has reached at least moderate intensity). Data will be collected regarding treatment response during and after each migraine headache. For each headache, patients will record study information and data during 3 telephone calls using Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) technology. It is expected that patients who take 12.5 milligrams of AXERT at the first sign of pain of any intensity due to a migraine headache will experience an overall shorter duration of their migraine than patients who take AXERT 12.5 mg when their migraine pain has reached at least moderate pain intensity. In addition, it is expected that almotriptan malate (AXERT®) is generally well-tolerated.

AXERT 12.5 milligram tablet orally either at the onset of migraine pain (within 1 hour of the start of a migraine-ET regimen) or when migraine pain reaches at least moderate intensity (CT regimen).

Inclusion criteria

• History of a confirmed diagnosis of migraine headache with or without aura that meets the International Headache Society (IHS) criteria of migraine headache for at least 1 year
• Average frequency of 1 - 6 migraine headaches per month over the past 3 months
• History of migraine headaches of at least moderate pain intensity within the past year
• If taking a medication for migraine prophylaxis, taking a maintenance dose for at least 4 weeks prior to Visit 1, and remaining on a stable dose for the duration of the study
• In generally good health
• Capable of taking oral medication, perform study procedures and follow directions regarding collection of study information, e.g., subjects must be able and willing to read and comprehend written instructions, use a stopwatch, and comprehend and complete the telephone requirements, and must be willing to return to the office for a final study visit
• If female of childbearing potential, using birth control

Exclusion criteria

• Onset of migraine after age 50
• Chronic migraine or chronic tension-type headache defined by having 15 or more headache days per month in the previous 6 months
• Exclusively migraine aura without headache, or headaches that occur predominantly upon awakening in the morning
• Patients in whom triptans are contraindicated or who have previously discontinued AXERT therapy due to adverse events, history of substance abuse, or chronic alcohol abuse within the past 6 months