The effect of blood pressure lowering medications on the prevention of episodic migraine: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Cheryl Carcel, Faraidoon Haghdoost, Joanne Shen, Puneet Nanda, Yu Bai, Emily Atkins, Takako Torii-Yoshimura, Alexander J. Clough, Leo Davies, Dennis Cordato, Lyn R. Griffiths, Grace Balicki, Xia Wang, Kota Vidyasagar, Alejandra Malavera, Craig S. Anderson, Alessandro S. Zagami, Candice Delcourt, Anthony Rodgers

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)
48 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background: Currently, only a few specific blood pressure-lowering medications are recommended for migraine prevention. Whether benefits extend to other classes or drugs is uncertain. Methods: Embase, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials were searched for randomized control trials on the effect of blood pressure-lowering medications compared with placebo in participants with episodic migraine. Data were collected on four outcomes - monthly headache or migraine days, and monthly headache or migraine attacks, with a standardised mean difference calculated for overall. Random effect meta-analysis was performed. Results: In total, 50 trials (70% of which were crossover) were included, comprising 60 comparisons. Overall mean age was 39 years, and 79% were female. Monthly headache days were fewer in all classes compared to placebo, and this was statistically significant for all but one class: alpha-blockers -0.7 (95% CI: -1.2, -0.1), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors -1.3 (95% CI: -2.9, 0.2), angiotensin II receptor blockers -0.9 (-1.6, -0.1), beta-blocker -0.4 (-0.8, -0.0) and calcium channel blockers -1.8 (-3.4, -0.2). Standardised mean difference was significantly reduced for all drug classes and was separately significant for numerous specific drugs: clonidine, candesartan, atenolol, bisoprolol, metoprolol, propranolol, timolol, nicardipine and verapamil. Conclusion: Among people with episodic migraine, a broader number of blood pressure-lowering medication classes and drugs reduce headache frequency than those currently included in treatment guidelines. Trial Registration: The study was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42017079176).
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-9
Number of pages9
JournalCephalalgia
Volume43
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2023

Bibliographical note

Copyright the International Headache Society 2023. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

Keywords

  • Antihypertensive medication
  • blood pressure
  • migraine
  • prevention
  • randomized trials
  • systematic review

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