Diagnosis: Episodic migraine
Features of episodic migraines differ in children and adults. In children, such headaches are of shorter duration and tend to be bilateral. Children also have a lower threshold for vomiting, which can be a significant component of their “migraine symptomatology.” These symptoms may result in school absences and loss of time at work for parents who may have to pick up a sick child.
First-line treatment is usually a simple analgesic, such as ibuprofen(Drug information on ibuprofen). A dose of 10mg/kg of body weight is usually effective. When used in appropriate doses, this is a straightforward option and one that has been studied rigorously.1 For children who cannot tolerate oral medications, the serotonin agonists (“triptans”) in a non-oral delivery form can be an valuable alternative. The child neurology society guidelines suggest a role for nasal sumatriptan(Drug information on sumatriptan) (Imitrex) in children as young as age 6 years.2 The nasal route makes it easy to use in a child who cannot take medication by mouth and absorption through the nasal mucosa allows for rapid onset of action. Sumatriptan’s 2-hour half-life also allows repeat dosing after 2 hours if the first dose does not resolve symptoms.3 It is available in 2 dose formulations—5- and 20-mg spray. Oral sumatriptan is available in doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg.
Only 2 triptans are approved for use in children—almotriptan (Axert)4 and rizatriptan(Drug information on rizatriptan) (Maxalt).5 Almotriptan is approved by the FDA for use in adolescents over 12 years in doses of 12.5 mg. Rizatriptan, which is available in a sublingual formulation, is approved in children age 6 to 17 years. Adverse effects common to all triptans include chest heaviness and discomfort. These symptoms may not have a cardiac basis and may be related to esophageal spasm. Ideally doses should not be repeated more than twice over 24 hours. Triptans should not be used in children who have uncontrolled hypertension or those at risk for cardiac ischemia.6
References
1.Lewis DW, Kellstein D, Burke B, et al. Children’s ibuprofen suspension for the acute treatment of pediatric migraine headache. Headache. 2002;42:780-786.
2. Lewis D, Ashwal S, Hershey MD, et al. Practice Parameter: Pharmacological treatment of migraine headache in children and adolescents. Neurology. 2004;63:2215-2224.
3. Schenker S, Yang Y, Perez A, et al. Sumatriptan (Imitrex) transport by the human placenta. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1995;210:213-220.
4. Linder SL, Mathew NT, Cady RK, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of almotriptan(Drug information on almotriptan) in adolescents: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Headache. 2008;48:1326-1336.
5. Ahonen K, Halmalainen ML, Eerola M, et al. A randomized trial of rizatriptan in migraine attacks in children. Neurology. 2006;67:E1135-E1140.
5. Erbilen E, Ozhan H, Akdemir R, et al. A case of myocardial infarction with sumatriptan use. Pediatr Cardiol. 2005;26:464-466.
