Rizatriptan: experience after 15 years of clinical use
*Correspondencia: Dr. Julio Pascual Gómez. Servicio de Neurología. Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias. Celestino Villamil, s/n. E-33006 Oviedo (Asturias).
E-mail: juliopascual@telefonica.net
We review the development of rizatriptan, one of the seven 5-HT1B/1D agonists available for the symptomatic treatment of migraine, emphasizing the most relevant contributions carried out from our country. Rizatriptan has shown the quickest onset of action, both in controlled studies and in the different metaanalyses, which translates in high efficacy levels at two hours. Its tolerability and safety profile is similar to that of the other compounds in this pharmacological group. Postlaunching studies have shown that its high efficacy leads to pharmacoeconomic savings and to a robust preference and satisfaction by the patient for this triptan. Its efficacy is improved with an early use within migraine attacks and recent data have shown also efficacy in adolescents. This global profile places rizatriptan as a triptan of first choice for any kind of migraine attacks.
