Migraine treatment with calcium channel blockers.

Irrespective of their mechanism of action, which so far has not been clarified, calcium channel blockers (CCBs) have a documented prophylactic effect on classical and common migraine, as well as on cluster headache. The drugs may reduce migraine prodromes, the frequency of migraine attacks, and also decrease the severity and possibly the duration of these attacks. Notably, their optimum effect is often seen after more than 2 months of treatment. Side effects seem to be few and mild. Whether or not there are differences in therapeutic efficacy between different CCBs is presently unclear. As comparisons with other alternatives of treatment are sparse, the place of CCBs in migraine therapy remains to be established.