Timothy SY, Kwanashie HO, Nyandaiti YW, Genesis RY and Anuka JA
This study is aimed at evaluating the effects of sumatriptan and Cafergot® (Dihydroergotamine + caffeine) tablet on the hepatic and renal functions in acute migraine patients so as to guide physicians in the rational management of migraine in clinical practice. Seventy three consecutive adult migraineurs that attended the Neurology Clinic of the Department of Medicine, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital from May, 2009 to December, 2010 and met the inclusion criteria were evaluated with their consents. The success of acute antimigraine therapy was prospectively studied at which the hepatic and renal functions were assessed. Acute therapy with sumatriptan 50 mg (N=30) caused a significant increase in the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), bicarbonate (HCO3-), creatinine, total protein, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), chloride, urea, total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and potassium (K+) (p<0.05). Similarly, the levels of albumin, chloride, creatinine, total bilirubin, ALT, K+, conjugated bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, AST, HCO3- and urea were able to increased significantly due to acute therapy with sumatriptan 100 mg (p<0.05). There was a statistical significant difference in the levels of AST, chloride, total bilirubin, total protein, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, ALT, urea and conjugated bilirubin (p<0.05) among the 9 patients that took Cafergot® 1 mg. Cafergot® 2 mg (N=11) caused a significant increase in the levels of total protein, K+, urea, total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin, AST, HCO3- and chloride (p<0.05). The effects of Cafergot® and sumatriptan on hepatic and renal functions were not dose dependent and did not differ significantly. The impact of sumatriptan and Cafergot® therapy on the hepatic and renal functions showed a significant increase in most of the biochemical analytes and enzymes (except sodium) among the migraineurs studied.
