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Feverfew for preventing migrainePittler MH, Ernst E
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SummaryFeverfew for preventing migraineFeverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.) extract is a herbal remedy used for preventing attacks of migraine. Five trials were identified that assessed the efficacy of feverfew (taken as an oral preparation) compared with placebo. Results from these trials were mixed and did not convincingly establish that feverfew is more effective than placebo for preventing migraine. No major side effects were associated with feverfew in the included studies. Further large and rigorously conducted trials are needed.
This is a Cochrane review abstract and plain language summary, prepared and maintained by The Cochrane Collaboration, currently published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2009 Issue 2, Copyright © 2009 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.. The full text of the review is available in The Cochrane Library (ISSN 1464-780X).
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July 24. 2000 AbstractBackgroundFeverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.) extract is a herbal remedy used for preventing attacks of migraine. ObjectivesTo systematically review the evidence from double-blind randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the clinical efficacy and safety of feverfew versus placebo for preventing migraine. Search strategyPublications describing (or which might describe) double-blind RCTs of feverfew extract for migraine were sought through the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2003); PREMEDLINE/MEDLINE (1966 to July 2003); EMBASE (1974 to July 2003); the trials register of the Cochrane Pain, Palliative and Supportive care group (July 2003); and AMED (1985 to July 2003). Manufacturers of feverfew were contacted and the bibliographies of identified articles checked for further trials. Selection criteriaRandomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials assessing the efficacy of feverfew for preventing migraine were included. Trials using clinical outcome measures were included. Trials focusing exclusively on physiological parameters were excluded. There were no restrictions regarding the language of publication. Data collection and analysisData on patients, interventions, methods, outcome measures, results and adverse events were extracted systematically. Methodological quality was evaluated using the scoring system developed by Jadad and colleagues. Two reviewers independently selected studies, assessed methodological quality and extracted data. Disagreements concerning evaluation of individual trials were resolved through discussion. Main resultsFive trials (343 patients) met the inclusion criteria. Results from these trials were mixed and did not convincingly establish that feverfew is efficacious for preventing migraine. Only mild and transient adverse events were reported in the included trials. Authors' conclusionsThere is insufficient evidence from randomised, double-blind trials to suggest an effect of feverfew over and above placebo for preventing migraine. It appears from the data reviewed that feverfew presents no major safety problems. |