Migraine medication attributes are important for patient compliance.

The determinant of patient compliance with an anti-migraine drug is a complex alchemy. Studies of patient needs consistently show that pain freedom, speed of onset and no headache recurrence are important features of an anti-migraine product. Adverse events are important in migraine management, and concerns about them may significantly affect patient compliance. A high efficacy/tolerance ratio is definitely an essential factor, but irrational factors, such as the patient's expectations, knowledge, prejudices and concerns about the drug, may also interfere. Patients' worries about such events may instigate avoidance of prescription medicine that leads to increased intensity and duration of pain, an increased need to rest, reduced productivity and cancellation of social and work-related activities. (c) 2003 Prous Science. All rights reserved.