Abstract

Background: Migraine is the most common headache, having at least five attacks that last 4–72 h, that are unilateral, pulsating, moderate or severe in intensity and aggravated by or cause avoidance of routine physical activity and are also accompanied by nausea/vomiting, photophobia. Treatment of headaches can be either abortive or prophylactic. Here meaning of prophylactic treatment is to reduce the frequency or severity of headaches. Very few studies have been done regarding the safety and efficacy of lisinopril in migraine prophylaxis so we focus on prophylactic therapy for migraine.

Aim and Objective: The aim of the study was (i) to compare the effect of propranolol and lisinopril in migraine as prophylaxis and (ii) to assess the adverse drug reaction of lisinopril.

Materials and Methods: Sixty out patients diagnosed with Migraine in medicine department, HIMS Hassan, and willing to give consent are included for 3 months. Thirty Patients/group, Group1 – Lisinopril 5 mg/day od and Group2 – Propranolol 20 mg tid given regular treatment. All the patients were provided with a migraine diary and advised to record the number of attacks of migraine. Patients were followed-up at the end of 1st and 3rd months. The change in the migraine frequency and pain intensity was checked (Visual Analog Scale) and also adverse drug reaction.

Results: Migraine episodes and headache severity index were reduced by 84% and 43%, with lisinopril compared with propranolol. Days with migraine were reduced in 11 participants for lisinopril. Eight patients reported an adverse effect like cough during lisinopril therapy.

Conclusion: Lisinopril has better prophylactic therapy in migraine.

Key words: Migraine; Prophylaxis; Lisinopril; Propranolol