-Few trials have evaluated combination of two or more drugs in the preventive treatment of migraine. In this study three therapeutic regimens were compared: (a) propranolol, at a dose of 40 mg per day, (b) nortriptyline, at a dose of 20 mg per day, and (c) the combination of these two drugs in these dosages. The groups were matched according to age, gender, and frequency of migraine attacks prior to treatment. The period of treatment was two months and the frequency and intensity of headache attacks of the 30 days pretreatment period were compared with the frequency of headaches in the treatment period. Fourteen patients in groups A and B and sixteen patients in group C have completed the study. Treatment with propranolol, alone or in combination, was shown to be effective. Treatment with nortriptyline alone was not effective. All three therapeutic regimens were safe and side effects were minimal. The frequency of discontinuation of the study was the same in the 3 groups but no patient left the study due to adverse reactions. The combined therapy proved to be as safe as the monotherapy. Further studies evaluating this and other possible combinations of drugs in higher doses and for longer periods, should more clearly elucidate the role of combined therapy in the treatment of migraine.Key Words: combined therapy, migraine, nortryptiline, propranolol.Estudo controlado, randomizado e duplo cego do uso de baixas doses de propranolol, nortriptilina e a combinação destas duas drogas no tratamento preventivo da migrânea Resumo -Poucos ensaios clínicos têm avaliado o tratamento preventivo da migrânea através da combinação de drogas. Neste estudo, três regimes terapêuticos foram comparados: (a) popranolol, na dose de 40 mg por dia, (b) nortriptilina, na dose de 20 mg por dia e (c) combinação destas duas drogas nestas dosagens. os grupos foram pareados de acordo com idade, sexo e freqüência de crises previamente ao tratamento. o período de tratamento foi de dois meses e a frequência e a intensidade das crises de cefaléia do período pré-tratamento foram comparadas com as do período de tratamento. Concluíram o estudo 14 pacientes do grupo A, 14 do grupo B e 16 do grupo C. os tratamentos com propranolol, isolado ou em associação mostraram-se eficazes. o tratamento com nortriptilina isolada não se mostrou eficaz para a redução do número de dias com cefaléia. Todos os três regimes terapêuticos foram seguros e os efeitos colaterais foram mínimos. A freqüência de abandono do estudo foi a mesma nos 3 grupos e nenhum paciente abandonou o estudo devido a reações adversas. A terapia combinada mostrou-se tão segura quanto a monoterapia. estudos futuros avaliando esta e outras possíveis combinações de drogas, em doses maiores e por períodos mais longos, deverão elucidar mais claramente o papel da terapia combinada no tratamento da migrânea.PAlAvrAs-ChAve: migrânea, nortriptilina, propranolol, tratamento combinado.

This is the first study to assess the prevalence of headache and migraine among Pomeranian descendents in Brazil. A high prevalence of headache in the last 6 months was found (53.2%). Most headache sufferers were diagnosed as having migraine (55%). More women reported to have headache than men (65% and 33.8%, respectively). Migraine was the most common headache found among women (62.2%). Among men migraine was responsible for only 37.8% of the cases of headache. A high impact of headache was found, especially among migraineurs. Most of the headache sufferers declared to seek medical assistance for headache (67%) and most of them used to take common analgesics for headache relief. None of them was under prophylactic therapy.

The aim of this study was to describe the frequency and features of delayed alcohol-induced headache (DAIH) among university students. Ninety-five students were administered a headache questionnaire approximately 12 hours after have being exposed to high alcohol intake. Headache was mostly diffuse (44.4%), bilateral (92.5%), and throbbing (48.1%). This headache was usually severe and with important morbidity. Previous migraine has significantly increased the risk of DAIH.