TREATMENT OF MIGRAINE-Results with Dihydroergocornine Methanesulfonate (DHO-180) and Other Ergot Derivatives.

A comparison of nicotinic acid, a non-narcotic analgesic and a series of injectable and oral ergot preparations tested by various methods in treating 40 patients with typical migraine indicate that ergot alkaloids are far superior in producing symptomatic relief.A comparison of ergotamine tartrate, dihydroergotamine (DHE-45) and dihydroergocornine (DHO-180) indicated that ergotamine tartrate is the most effective and perhaps the most toxic, DHE-45 is slightly less effective and considerably less toxic, and that DHO-180 is the least effective but also the least toxic. When given orally, these alkaloids were about half as effective as when given by injection. EC-110 (ergotamine nitrate with caffeine) was the most effective.DHO-180 in liquid form, given daily for one month, had a marked preventive effect on migraine attacks.