Candesartan Versus Propranolol for Migraine Prevention

Inclusion Criteria: * age 18 to 65 years * retrospectively have ≥ 2 migraine attacks per month during the last 3 months * during the baseline period have ≥ 2 migraine attacks * debut of migraine at least one year prior to inclusion * start of migraine before age 50 years. Exclusion Criteria: * interval headache not distinguishable from migraine * chronic tension-type headache or other headache occurring on ≥ 15 days/month * pregnancy, nursing or inability to use contraceptives * heart conduction block on ECG or significant ECG abnormality on inclusion * heart rate \< 54 after 3 minutes rest * previous or present asthma, diabetes; decreased hepatic or renal function * hypersensitivity to active substance * history of angioneurotic edema * significant psychiatric illness * use of daily migraine prophylactics less than 4 weeks prior to start of study * having tried ≥ 3 prophylactic drugs against migraine during the last 10 years * previous use of propranolol or candesartan in adequate doses * previous discontinuation of either Atacand or Inderal Retard (or another beta blocker) due to side effects * current use of antihypertensive medication * require use of rizatriptan (Maxalt) 10 mg tabl. * subjects requiring detoxification from acute medication (ergotamines, opioids) * patients who consistently fail to respond to any acute migraine medication * patients with alcohol or illicit drug dependence