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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by fires on May 15, 2006, at 17:48:52
I read some articles about high dose riboflavin used to prevent migraines (reduced frequency and severity of).
Anyone know more about this? I don't have migraines, but I' still wondering.
I may not be able to reply, so THANKS in advance.
Posted by Larry Hoover on May 15, 2006, at 18:29:15
In reply to Riboflavin for migraines?, posted by fires on May 15, 2006, at 17:48:52
> I read some articles about high dose riboflavin used to prevent migraines (reduced frequency and severity of).
>
> Anyone know more about this? I don't have migraines, but I' still wondering.
>
> I may not be able to reply, so THANKS in advance.You're welcome, in advance.
You've probably seen something similar to what I've tacked on, below. Yup, it looks like it works. Interestingly enough, in another study, they used 25 mg riboflavin against 400 mg as part of a combination; the 25 mg dose was supposed to be a placebo. What they found was that the placebo and treatment groups had similar outcomes. The assumed inactivity of the 25 mg dose was false. So, you may not need high dose riboflavin to have an effect.
Thanks for asking the question. While checking the literature, I found evidence that riboflavin acts as an anti-hyperalgesic agent, and I have severe hyperalgesia. Now I have something new to experiment with. So, thank YOU.
Lar
Eur J Neurol. 2004 Jul;11(7):475-7.
High-dose riboflavin treatment is efficacious in migraine prophylaxis: an open study in a tertiary care centre.Boehnke C, Reuter U, Flach U, Schuh-Hofer S, Einhaupl KM, Arnold G.
Department of Neurology, Charite, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of riboflavin for the prevention of migraine. An open label study was performed in a specialized outpatient clinic. Patients received 400 mg riboflavin capsules per day. Headache frequency, duration, intensity and the use of abortive drugs were recorded at baseline and 3 and 6 months after treatment. Headache frequency was significantly reduced from 4 days/month at baseline to 2 days/month after 3 and 6 months (P < 0.05). The use of abortive drugs decreased from 7 units/month to 4.5 units/month after 3 and 6 months of treatment (P < 0.05). In contrast, headache hours and headache intensity did not change significantly. We could demonstrate a significant reduction of headache frequency following riboflavin treatment. In addition, the number of abortive anti-migraine tablets was reduced. In line with previous studies our findings show that riboflavin is a safe and well-tolerated alternative in migraine prophylaxis.
Headache. 2004 Oct;44(9):885-90.
A combination of riboflavin, magnesium, and feverfew for migraine prophylaxis: a randomized trial.Maizels M, Blumenfeld A, Burchette R.
Kaiser Permanente, Family Practice, Woodland Hills, CA, USA.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy for migraine prophylaxis of a compound containing a combination of riboflavin, magnesium, and feverfew. BACKGROUND: Previous studies of magnesium and feverfew for migraine prophylaxis have found conflicting results, and there has been only a single placebo-controlled trial of riboflavin. DESIGN/METHODS: Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of a compound providing a daily dose of riboflavin 400 mg, magnesium 300 mg, and feverfew 100 mg. The placebo contained 25 mg riboflavin. The study included a 1-month run-in phase and 3-month trial. The protocol allowed for 120 patients to be randomized, with a preplanned interim analysis of the data after 48 patients had completed the trial. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients completed the 3-month trial. For the primary outcome measure, a 50% or greater reduction in migraines, there was no difference between active and "placebo" groups, achieved by 10 (42%) and 11 (44%), respectively (P=.87). Similarly, there was no significant difference in secondary outcome measures, for active versus placebo groups, respectively: 50% or greater reduction in migraine days (33% and 40%, P=.63); or change in mean number of migraines, migraine days, migraine index, or triptan doses. Compared to baseline, however, both groups showed a significant reduction in number of migraines, migraine days, and migraine index. This effect exceeds that reported for placebo agents in previous migraine trials. CONCLUSION: Riboflavin 25 mg showed an effect comparable to a combination of riboflavin 400 mg, magnesium 300 mg, and feverfew 100 mg. The placebo response exceeds that reported for any other placebo in trials of migraine prophylaxis, and suggests that riboflavin 25 mg may be an active comparator. There is at present conflicting scientific evidence with regard to the efficacy of these compounds for migraine prophylaxis.
Eur J Pharmacol. 2004 May 10;492(1):35-40.
Riboflavin reduces hyperalgesia and inflammation but not tactile allodynia in the rat.Granados-Soto V, Teran-Rosales F, Rocha-Gonzalez HI, Reyes-Garcia G, Medina-Santillan R, Rodriguez-Silverio J, Flores-Murrieta FJ.
Departamento de Farmacobiologia, Centro de Investigacion y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politecnico Nacional, Calzada Tenorios 235, Colonia Granjas Coapa, 14330 Mexico, DF, Mexico. vgranados@prodigy.net.mx
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) has been proposed as a prophylactic therapy of migraine. However, so far there are no preclinical studies about the analgesic properties of this vitamin. The current study was designed to investigate the possible antinociceptive, antihyperalgesic and antiallodynic effect of riboflavin in formalin, carrageenan-induced thermal hyperalgesia, and spinal nerve ligation models, respectively. Oral riboflavin produced a dose-related antinociceptive (6.25-50 mg/kg), antihyperalgesic (25-150 mg/kg) and anti-inflammatory (50-150 mg/kg) effect. Gabapentin (100 mg/kg, positive control), but not riboflavin (150-600 mg/kg), reduced tactile allodynia in neuropathic rats. Riboflavin-induced antinociception in the formalin test was reversed by pretreatment with NG-L-nitro-arginine methyl ester and glibenclamide, but not by NG-D-nitro-arginine methyl ester or naloxone. Our results indicate that riboflavin is able to produce antinociception and anti-inflammatory, but not antiallodynic, effect in the rat. The effect of riboflavin could be due to the activation of K+ channels or nitric oxide release, but not activation of opioid mechanisms.
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