Comparison of Propranolol versus Amitriptyline as monotherapy for migraine prophylaxis

Introduction: Several drugs like Beta Blockers, SSRIs etc., are used for migraine prophylaxis. Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to compare the efficacy of propranolol and amitriptyline as monotherapy for the prophylaxis of migraine. Materials and Methods: This was a comparative, double-blinded, Prospective, randomized controlled study conducted at Department of General Medicine at Surabhi Institute of Medical Sciences. A total of 140 patients were enrolled in the study, diagnosed cases of migraine were randomly allocated using random number table to either Group 1 (Period 1: To receive tablet Propranolol 4–16 weeks and Period 2: Amitriptyline 20–32 weeks) or Group 2 (Period 1: To receive tablet Amitriptyline 4–16 weeks and Period 2: Propranolol 20–32 weeks). During the first 4 weeks, the run-in period, the patients do not receive prophylactic treatment and have to record in a headache diary the number of migraine attacks, the duration of attacks in hours and the severity.  Similarly during 16 to 20 weeks patient didn’t receive any prophylactic treatment to wear of the drug effects