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Pharmacopsychiatry 2005; 38(6): 327-328
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-916190
Letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Exacerbation of Migraine Attacks during Treatment with the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Sertraline

A Case ReportA. Bickel1 , J. Kornhuber2 , C. Maihöfner1 , A. Ropohl2 , 3
  • 1Department of Neurology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
  • 2Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
  • 3Current Address: Department of Psychiatry, Center for Integrative Psychiatry - CIP, University of Kiel, Niemannsweg 147, 24105 Kiel, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 29.3.2005 Revised: 12.7.2005

Accepted: 21.7.2005

Publication Date:
08 December 2005 (online)

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Abnormal signal transmission in central serotonergic pathways is supposed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of migraine and major depression. We report on a patient, who was treated during an episode of depression with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) sertraline and developed frequent migraine attacks under this therapeutical regime. Single migraine attacks were treated successfully with triptanes. Although SSRIs may be beneficial for migraine prophylaxis at long term administration, this case suggests that acute administration of SSRIs in migraineurs may include the risk of worsening migraine.

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Axel Ropohl, MD

Department of Psychiatry

Center for Integrative Psychiatry - CIP

University of Kiel

Germany

Niemannsweg 147

24105 Kiel

Phone: +49 431 9900 2681

Fax: +49 431 9900 5148

Email: a.ropohl@zip-kiel.de

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