Abstract

Triptans are recommended as an appropriate first-line treatment for the migraine attacks with moderate to severe severity. However, their potential of coronary vasoconstriction, considered in the context of pharmacological activity, rare reports of serious cardiac events and more commonly reported chest symp- toms, have raised the concerns about cardiovascular safety. This article reviews the data obtained from experiments, clinical trials, post-marketing surveillance, and clinical studies. While all triptans have the potential to produce small constriction of coronary artery, clinically serious events rarely occur because of their craniovascular selectivity at therapeutic dose. Data accumulated more than 10 years demonstrate that triptans are safe. Triptan-associated chest symptoms are usually nonserious and usually not attributed to ischemic mechanisms. However, these data are derived from the patients without known cardiovascular disease and cannot be extended to patients with cardiovascular disease. Korean Journal of Headache 5(2):115-124, 2004