A combination of coenzyme Q10, feverfew and magnesium for migraine prophylaxis: a prospective observational study

Abstract

BackgroundFeverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.), magnesium and coenzyme Q10 are frequently used for migraine prophylaxis. Supplementation with a fixed combination of these three agents (Antemig®, PiLeJe) was investigated in an observational study.MethodsAdult patients suffering from migraine according to the criteria of the International Headache Society were enrolled by general practitioners (≥2 migraine attacks during previous month; exclusion of chronic migraine and medication overuse) and after a one-month baseline phase, supplemented with one tablet of 100 mg feverfew, 100 mg coenzyme Q10 and 112.5 mg magnesium per day for 3 months.ResultsSupplementation significantly reduced the number of days with migraine headache during third month of supplementation compared to baseline phase (1.3 days ±1.5 versus 4.9 days ±2.6, p < 0.0001; n = 68 intention to treat; primary criterion). The decrease was progressive over the period of supplementation and significant from first month (1st month: −2.5 days ±3.1, p < 0.0001; 2nd month: −3 days ±2.8, p < 0.0001). The proportion of patients with a reduction of at least 50% in the number of days with migraine headache was 75% (51/68) after 3 months, with a progressive increase over the period of supplementation (63.2% [43/68] after 1 month and 70.6% [48/68] after 2 months). The proportion of patients with anxiety and depressive symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) decreased between baseline phase and third month of supplementation from 61.9% (39/63 patients with information available) to 35% (21/60) for depression and from 52.4% (33/63) to 30% (18/60) for anxiety. An improvement of quality of life (Qualité de Vie et Migraine questionnaire) was also observed. The combination was well tolerated.ConclusionsResults suggest that the proprietary supplement containing feverfew, coenzyme Q10 and magnesium assessed could be beneficial and safe for the prevention of migraine in adult patients and merits further study.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02901756, retrospectively registered on August 24, 2016.

Medication-overuse headache. Retrospective comparison of preventive treatments

“…In addition, data on the experiences of numerous headache specialists just corroborate the common approach of combining drugs in clinical practice 24,25,26 . It is true that using more drugs may impair adherence or tolerability, despite recent evidence to the contrary 27 .…”

Real world, open label prospective experience of supplementation with a fixed combination of magnesium, vitamin B2, feverfew, andrographis paniculata and coenzyme Q10 (Vivinor®) for episodic migraine prophylaxis

“…Our results, overall, are in agreement with a previously published study applying a similar study design to test a proprietary supplement containing feverfew, magnesium and Q10. 30 Improvement of migraine symptoms with a proprietary supplement containing ribo avin, magnesium and Q10 was also noted in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter trial enrolling 130 migraineurs, although reduction of migraine frequency showed only a trend towards statistical signi cance between active and placebo arms. 31 Different dosages and formulations as well methodological issues in the study design (observational open-label vs placebo-controlled study design) may account for the discrepancy between results of the latter trials.…”

<p>The Effect of CoQ10 Supplementation on Quality of Life in Women with Breast Cancer Undergoing Tamoxifen Therapy: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial</p>

“…Guilbot et al suggested that 12 weeks of a combination of feverfew, magnesium, and CoQ 10 at a dosage of 100 mg/day for migraine prophylaxis significantly reduced the number of days with migraine headache and improved QOL. 16 In another study, Sharifi et al showed that both a therapeutic lifestyle-change diet and supplementation with CoQ 10 (150 mg/day) and L-carnitine had a positive effect on the physical and emotional subscales of the MacNew questionnaire in patients with myocardial infarction. 17 In addition, Morris et al illustrated the CoQ 10 's potential role in improving QOL in patients with Parkinson's disease and fibromyalgia.…”

“…15 Studies on the effectiveness of CoQ 10 on QOL in different diseases have indicated that this supplement can have a beneficial effect on QOL. [16][17][18] However, there have been few studies on breast cancer, 9 and to our knowledge, a trial evaluating the effect of CoQ 10 alone in breast cancer patients has not been done yet. Considering the high prevalence of breast cancer, in addition to its importance and effects on all life dimensions of patients, focusing on QOL as it relates to health and finding solutions to ameliorate QOL of these patients seems necessary.…”