Migraine Relief - Pycnogenol decreased frequency and pain

Better than standard management or drug treatment

In this study, 67 people with migraine took one of three treatment paths: standard management of oral magnesium, riboflavin, and lipoic acid; standard management plus 150 mg of Pycnogenol® per day, or the prescription medication topiramate alone.

After eight weeks, participants ranked and reported migraine symptoms. Overall migraine frequency decreased 61 percent for those taking Pycnogenol, compared to 33 percent for topiramate, and 8 percent for standard management. For pain, 39 percent in the Pycnogenol group reported improvement, and less need for pain rescue medication vs. 37 percent for topiramate, and 25 percent for standard management. Ability to perform daily activities also improved most for Pycnogenol compared to the other two groups. Some in the topiramate drug group experienced adverse effects including skin tingling, itching, chilling, and burning; fatigue, dizziness, and nausea, even at low doses, which required additional forms of treatment. The Pycnogenol group reported no side effects.

Reference: Pan Minerva Medica; 2020, Vol. 62, No. 2, 102-8