Papaverine in the prophylaxis of migraine and other vascular headache in children.

A daily dose of papaverine (5--10 mg per kg body weight) was administered on a double-blind basis for two months to 42 successive child patients suffering from migraine or other vascular headache attacks not less than twice a month. Thirty-seven patients received the drug for the whole period of two months and 31 of these could be followed for a period of one to 10 months (mean 4.5 months) after the cessation of the treatment. Nineteen received papaverine and 18 placebo. Six out of 19 papaverine patients and none of 18 placebo patients were completely free from attacks during the treatment. Altogether 11 patients in the papaverine group and 5 in the placebo group experienced a 75--100% reduction in attack frequency which was accompanied by lower intensity and shorter duration of attacks. The results were best in cases with classical migraine. An "excellent" or "good" drug effect was experienced by 58% of papaverine patients and 17% of placebo patients.