Sumatriptan clinical efficacy

Second-generation triptans (all except sumatriptan) have higher oral bioavailability and longer half-lives than oral sumatriptan, which could theoretically improve within-patient treatment consistency and reduce headache recurrence. However, comparative clinical trials are necessary to determine their relative efficacy. 

Results of placebo-controlled studies with each of the second-generation agents reveal somewhat comparable 2-hour response rates. Direct comparative clinical trials are necessary to determine their relative efficacy, but these are available for only a few of the triptans. A recent meta-analysis summarizes the efficacy and tolerability of the different oral triptans across both published and unpublished studies. At all marketed doses, the oral triptans are effective and well tolerated. Across studies for sumatriptan 100 mg, mean results were a 2-hour headache response of 59%, with 29% pain-free at 2 hours, 20% sustained pain-free, and 67% consistency. Compared with sumatriptan 100 mg, rizatriptan 10 mg showed better efficacy and consistency and similar tolerability eletriptan 80 mg showed better efficacy, similar consistency, but lower tolerability ahnotriptan 12.5 mg showed similar efficacy at 2 hours but better other results naratriptan 2.5 mg and eletriptan 20 mg showed lower efficacy and better tolerability and zohnitriptan 2.5 and 5 mg, eletriptan 40 mg, and riaztriptan 5 mg all showed similar results. Available data suggest lower efficacy for frovatriptan. ... 

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