THE herbal supplement coenzyme Q10, may offer effective prophylaxis for migraine according to new research.

When taken on a long-term basis, the supplement significantly reduced the frequency of migraine attacks and nausea symptoms in total number of headache days and headache severity, a study found (Neurology2005; 64:713-5).

THE effects were seen after one month of use and peaked after three months of using the supplement, the randomized trial found.

Coenzyme Q10 was thought to act on mitochondrial dysfunction and the impaired oxygen metabolism that played a role in migraine pathogenesis, the study authors said.

Commenting on the findings, Associate Professor Paul Spira, a clinical neurologist from The University of NSW, said that while the magnitude of response was modest, Coenzyme Q10 was well tolerated and appeared to have some prophylactic effect in migraine.

"It is maybe another option for some patients," he said.

The study, sponsored by a manufacturer of the supplement, included 42 patients who were randomized to Coenzyme Q10 (300 mg/day) or placebo.
Nearly half of all patients using Coenzyme Q10 experienced a 48% reduction in headache frequency compared to only one in seven patients using placebo.