Upper age limit for triptans for Migraines? Less effective when older?
Full Question:
Could you tell me if there is an upper age limit to using Triptans and do they lose their ability to work the older you are? Susan.
Full Answer:
Dear Susan;
This is an excellent question. As long as the patient doesn’t have a history of stroke or heart disease or high risk factors for them, there is no upper age limit for using triptans. We do order a cardiovascular work-up for patients over the age of 50 to check for “silent” cardiovascular issues.
The effectiveness of triptans isn’t age related. They can stop working as well when patients have taken them over a long period of time. In these cases, switching to a different triptan often works out well.
Good luck,
John Claude Krusz and Teri Robert
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Dr. Krusz is a recognized expert in the fields of headache and Migraine treatment and pain treatment. Each week, he and Lead Expert Teri Robert, team up to answer your questions about headaches and Migraines. You can read more about _ Dr. Krusz_ or more about _** Teri Robert** _.
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© Teri Robert and J.C. Krusz, 2013.
Last updated March 20, 2013.
Do you have questions about Migraine? Reader questions are answered by UCNS certified Migraine and headache specialist Dr. David Watson, and award-winning patient educator and advocate Teri Robert. Questions may be submitted via our submission form. Accepted questions will be answered by publishing the answers in our Ask the Clinician column. For an overview of how we can help and questions we can and can’t answer, please see Seeking Migraine and Headache Diagnoses and Medical Advice.
