Does tryptophan affect how well triptans relieve migraine?

Tryptophan as a Modulating Factor in the Antimigraine Efficacy of Triptans

Observational University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand · NCT07177885

This test sees if tryptophan levels and their by-products influence how well triptans relieve migraine attacks in adults who have been identified as triptan responders or non-responders.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment144 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 50 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand Academic / other
Locations1 site (Clermont-Ferrand)
Trial IDNCT07177885 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study will collect blood samples to compare tryptophan and its metabolic by-products (including serotonin and kynurenine pathway metabolites) between adults who respond to triptans and those who do not. Participants are adults aged 18–50, including cisgender men and premenopausal cisgender women, diagnosed with migraine per ICHD-3 and classified by triptan response. The protocol also examines whether conditions that impair intestinal absorption (for example inflammatory bowel disease or diabetes) relate to altered tryptophan levels and triptan resistance. No drug interventions are given as part of the protocol; the main procedure is blood collection and metabolic analysis at CHU de Clermont-Ferrand.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18–50 with a clinical diagnosis of migraine who have been classified as triptan responders or non-responders, including cisgender men and premenopausal cisgender women, and who are affiliated with a social security system.

Not a fit: Pregnant or breastfeeding people, those outside the 18–50 age range, or people without a known triptan response classification are unlikely to benefit from this study's findings or are excluded from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help tailor migraine treatments by identifying patients less likely to benefit from triptans and suggesting alternative approaches.

How similar studies have performed: There are no prior clinical studies directly linking tryptophan status to triptan effectiveness, though preclinical data suggest that low-tryptophan diets can reduce sumatriptan effectiveness.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Cisgender women, premenopausal, aged 18 to 50 years.
* Cisgender men, aged 18 to 50 years.
* Diagnosed with migraine (according to ICHD-3 criteria).
* Diagnosed as responders or non-responders to triptans (according to the criteria of Sacco et al., 2022).
* Permitted comparison groups include: triptans used alone or in combination with other migraine treatments (e.g., NSAIDs, acetaminophen, ergotamine, opioids, antiemetics).
* All routes of administration and all dosages.
* Affiliation with a social security system.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients under guardianship, curatorship, deprivation of liberty, or legal protection
* Pregnant and breastfeeding women

Where this trial is running

Clermont-Ferrand

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions MigraineTriptanTryptophaninflammatory diseases
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.