Another study confirms that candesartan relieves migraines
Candesartan ((Atacand) is a blood pressure medication in the class of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). A recently published study involving 86 patients confirmed that candesartan can improve migraines. This was not a double-blind but rather an observational study, meaning that the results were not as reliable. However, the study is worth publicizing since candesartan is often overlooked as an effective migraine drug.
Here is more about candesartan from my previous post:
Candesartan was first shown to work for the prevention of migraine headaches in a 60-patient Norwegian trial published in JAMA in 2003. This was a double-blind crossover trial, which means that half of the patients were first placed on a placebo and then switched to candesartan and the second group started on candesartan and then were switched to placebo. This trial showed that when compared to placebo, 16 mg of candesartan resulted in a very significant reduction in mean number of days with headache, hours with headache, days with migraine, hours with migraine, headache severity index, level of disability, and days of sick leave. Candesartan was very well tolerated – there was no difference in side effects in patients taking the drug and those taking the placebo.
In another trial, the researchers compared candesartan to placebo as well as to propranolol, which is an FDA-approved blood pressure drug for the prevention of migraines. This trial in 72 migraine sufferers compared 16 mg of candesartan with placebo and 160 mg of propranolol. Candesartan and propranolol were equally effective in reducing migraine days per month and both were significantly more effective than placebo.
It’s extremely unusual and possibly was due to an allergic reaction similar to celiac disease. And yes, there is a strong connection between the gut and the brain. Probiotics and dietary changes can sometimes relieve migraines.
Hello Dr. Mauskop;
I’m 63 years old now and have been plagued with migraines for the last 40 years. I see Dr. David Kudrow in Los Angeles and he too suggested candesartan. I’m a little skeptical about all sartan drugs since I deveoped enteropathy last fall from benicar/olmesartan. I almost died and not one of my doctors figured it out. I had to figure out the problem on my own. Anyway, during the 3 month ordeal, I had no migraines. There must be a connection between intestinal health and migraines. Do you have any information as to why this happened? Thank you so much for your blog. I always look forward to reading it.