Treating morning migraines with propranolol
This invention relates to a method for preventing and treating morning migraine headaches. Pursuant to this method, a therapeutic amount of β-adrenergic-blocking agent is administered nightly to a person that suffers from migraine attacks such that the blocking agent is first released during morning hours when the person is most susceptible to morning migraine.
1 . A method for treating a patient that suffers from morning migraines comprising administering a pharmaceutical composition containing a β-adrenergic-blocking agent and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients to the patient in an amount sufficient to provide a therapeutically effective amount of said blocking agent in the morning to prevent or treat morning migraines.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the blocking agent is propranolol, nadolol, timolol, metoprolol, atenolol, labetolol, pindolol, oxprenolol or a salt thereof.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the blocking agent is propranolol or a salt thereof.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the blocking agent is propranolol hydrochloride.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein an effective amount of blocking agent is available for a time period between approximately 12:00 midnight to 12:00 noon.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein an effective amount of blocking agent is available for a time period between approximately 4:00 AM to 12:00 noon.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein an effective amount of blocking agent is available for a time period between approximately 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
8 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the time period is at least four hours.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein an effective amount of blocking agent is sustained for at least four morning hours.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the blocking agent is administered in a delayed and/or controlled release form.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered once daily.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the composition is administered in the evening.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the composition is administered between 8:00 PM and midnight.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the composition is administered at about 10:00 PM.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered orally.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the composition is administered in the form of a pill or capsule.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the pill or capsule contains a delayed-release component and a controlled-release component.
18 . The method of claim 17 wherein the delayed-release component is a delayed-release membrane.
19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the controlled-release component is a controlled-release membrane.
20 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the blocking agent is released continuously for at least four hours for a period between midnight and noon.
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the blocking agent is released continuously for at least four hours for a period between 4:00 AM and noon.
22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the blocking agent is released continuously for at least four hours for a period between 6:00 AM and 11:00 AM.