An open label comparative prospective study of proprietary formula migradep®) versus propranolol for chronic prophylaxis migraine

Abstract

Due to the involvement of different pathophysiologic factors in aetiology of migraine including but not limited to neuro-inflammation, involvement of CGRP(Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide) and the two newly discovered pathomechanisms; the metabolic energy deficit and the overload of oxidative stress as a trigger for migraine attack and a contributing factor to increased severity of the attack. The current dilemma is that the current medications used in the practice do not address those pathomechanisms. All these challenges have led to the need for a solution with more comprehensive mechanisms of action or a multiple target formula to be used as an alternative solution to tackle the different factors involved in Migraine Pathophysiology and at the same time to improve the response and QoL to migraineurs. In addition to the challenges of multiple pathophysiologic factors another factor necessitates the search for an alternative medications that do not have the contraindications of neither the acute medications nor the available oral chronic prophylactic medications. This study was an open label prospective, which highlights the comparisons between the efficacy of the fixed dose combination migradep (Parthenolide 6.25 mg, Riboflavin 25 mg, Coenzyme Q10 100mg, Magnesium Oxide 200mg, Ginkgolide B 60 mg, microencapsulated Lactobacillus acidophilus 2 Bln CFU and microencapsulated Bifidobacterium Lactis 2 Bln CFU) (sixty three patients ) versus propranolol 80 mg( forty nine patients) in the prophylaxis of chronic migraine diagnosed in congruence with the set criteria by the international headache society. Responding rate and efficacy, intensity of attack and severity, duration of attack, compliance and tolerance to the treatment on monthly basis for three consecutive months, is what patients were evaluated on. migradep has more significant efficacy than propranolol. No significant side effects reported for both treatment groups. Our results show that oral migradep intended for migraine prophylaxis is efficacious and well-tolerated prophylactic option for chronic migraineurs. It has better efficacy than propranolol and has comparable tolerance profile. Migradep may be an alternative strategy for migraine prophylaxis, however, larger comparable trials are needed to confirm these results.