Melatonin for Migraine

Migraines are very common and can be difficult to treat. Because of preliminary evidence suggesting a role for melatonin, researchers in Brazil conducted a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial using both active and placebo controls.

Eligible participants were adults with migraine, with or without aura, who had been diagnosed for ≥1 year; had ≥3 migraine attacks or ≥4 headache days per month and attacks for <15 days per month; and were not on preventive medications. After 4 weeks of baseline measurements, 178 participants received 12 weeks of melatonin (3 mg), amitriptyline (25 mg), or placebo (mean age, 37; 44% women).

Both melatonin and amitriptyline were superior to placebo on the primary outcome, number of headache days per month, and …