Two studies compared SSRIs or SNRIs versus amitriptyline and found no evidence for a difference in terms of migraine frequency ( st and ardised mean difference ( SMD ) 0.04 , 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) -0.72 to 0.80 ; I(2 ) = 72 % ) , or other secondary outcomes such as migraine intensity and duration .SSRIs  or SNRIs were generally more tolerable than tricyclics .
Since the last version of this review , the new included studies have not added high quality evidence to support the use of SSRIs or venlafaxine as preventive drugs for migraine .
There is no evidence to consider SSRIs or venlafaxine as more effective than placebo or amitriptyline in reducing migraine frequency , intensity , and duration over two to three months of treatment .
Our conclusion is that the use of SSRIs and SNRIs for migraine prophylaxis is not supported by evidence
BACKGROUND This is an up date d version of the original Cochrane review published in 2005 on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs ) for preventing  migraine and tension-type headache .
Another up date d review is under development to cover tension-type headache .
Migraine is a common disorder .
The chronic forms are associated with disability and have a high economic impact .
In view of discoveries about the role of serotonin and other neurotransmitters in pain mechanisms , selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs ) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors ( SNRIs ) have been evaluated for the prevention of migraine .
OBJECTIVES To determine the efficacy and tolerability of SSRIs and SNRIs compared to placebo and other active interventions in the prevention of episodic and chronic migraine in adults .
The efficacy and safety of venlafaxine in the prophylaxis of migraine.
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of venlafaxine in the prophylaxis of migraine . BACKGROUND The efficacy of venlafaxine , which is selectively effective on the serotonergic and noradrenergic mechanisms , on various headaches and chronic pain syndromes has been demonstrated . To our knowledge , this is the first placebo-controlled , double-blind , r and omized study of two different doses of venlafaxine for migraine treatment . METHODS In this prospect i ve study , 60 migraine patients without aura were r and omly assigned to venlafaxine XR 75 mg , venlafaxine XR 150 mg , or placebo . The frequency of headache attacks , the severity and the duration of attacks , and analgesic use were monitored every 2 weeks for 2 months . Adverse events and patient satisfaction were also evaluated during these visits . At the end of the 2 months , global efficacy and tolerance were investigated . RESULTS A significant difference was observed between the venlafaxine 150 mg and placebo groups in the number of headache attacks ( P= .006 ) . According to patient satisfaction comparisons , the active drug groups were significantly different when compared with placebo ( P= .001 at visit 2 and visit 6 ) . When the global efficacy was considered , 80 % of patients in the 75-mg group and 88.2 % of the patients in the 150-mg group evaluated treatment benefits as either good or very good . CONCLUSIONS Venlafaxine was more effective than placebo and is safe and well tolerated as migraine prophylaxis
Two studies compared SSRIs or SNRIs versus amitriptyline and found no evidence for a difference in terms of migraine frequency ( st and ardised mean difference ( SMD ) 0.04 , 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) -0.72 to 0.80 ; I(2 ) = 72 % ) , or other secondary outcomes such as migraine intensity and duration .SSRIs  or SNRIs were generally more tolerable than tricyclics .
Since the last version of this review , the new included studies have not added high quality evidence to support the use of SSRIs or venlafaxine as preventive drugs for migraine .
There is no evidence to consider SSRIs or venlafaxine as more effective than placebo or amitriptyline in reducing migraine frequency , intensity , and duration over two to three months of treatment .
Our conclusion is that the use of SSRIs and SNRIs for migraine prophylaxis is not supported by evidence
BACKGROUND This is an up date d version of the original Cochrane review published in 2005 on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs ) for preventing  migraine and tension-type headache .
Another up date d review is under development to cover tension-type headache .
Migraine is a common disorder .
The chronic forms are associated with disability and have a high economic impact .
In view of discoveries about the role of serotonin and other neurotransmitters in pain mechanisms , selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs ) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors ( SNRIs ) have been evaluated for the prevention of migraine .
OBJECTIVES To determine the efficacy and tolerability of SSRIs and SNRIs compared to placebo and other active interventions in the prevention of episodic and chronic migraine in adults .