Tag: abortives

Meds & Supplements, Treatment

Triptans are Apple to Oranges

Kerrie Smyres

A study published in the July/August issue of Headache found strong support for trying a different triptan if the first brand you tried didn’t give you sufficient relief. Researchers recruited migraineurs who weren’t helped by Imitrex (sumatriptan), and gave them Axert (almotriptan) or a placebo to take at the onset of their next migraines. 47% of participants in the Axert group experienced pain relief at the two hour mark of the migraine, whereas 24% of the placebo group did.

The authors say that they weren’t surprised by the results because “migraine patients are not all the same, migraine headaches are not all the same and triptans are not all the same.” Triptans differ enough to have different side effects too. A real-life example is that Imitrex made my husband, who has migraines about 8 times a year, violently ill. When he finally got over his Imitrex induced aversion to triptans, he tried Axert, which didn’t make him nauseous.

Switching Triptans May Improve Migraine Response is the Reuters article published about the study. The journal article abstract is also available.

Meds & Supplements, News & Research, Treatment

OTC Triptans Possible in UK

Kerrie Smyres

The UK’s drug regulation agency is considering making Imigran (a.k.a. Imitrex) and Zomig available over the counter with a pharmacist’s supervision. I’m curious to learn if the decision will foretell the outcome of such an attempt with the US FDA.

By 2008, US patents will expire on more than $80 billion worth of so-called blockbuster drugs. When generics become available, name-brand drugs risk losing 80% of their market share. Drug companies need these drugs to continue generating revenue so they can continue R&D on the next round of blockbuster drugs. One of the strategies to retain market share is to make the drug available OTC.

Imigran’s UK patent expires in 2006, so it’s more than likely that GlaxoSmithKline is seeking OTC approval to keep some of their market share. Zomig’s patent isn’t about to expire, but until Relpax was released, it was the most prescribed triptan in the UK. If Imigran is available OTC and docs are prescribing Relpax more than any other triptan, AstraZeneca will have to fight to keep it’s name and market position strong.

Meds & Supplements, Treatment

Generic Imitrex

Kerrie Smyres

Imagine getting a triptan without spending a small fortune every time you fill the prescription. The FDA has tentatively approved the manufacture and marketing of a generic version of Imitrex (sumatriptan).

According to the FDA, final approval for any drug is contingent upon the expiration of “market exclusivity” or patent terms or both. The medication also has to continue to comply with the the conditions and information that the FDA has already accepted. So, generic sumatriptan may be available on the market sometime after the patent expires in 2009.

Thanks to Teri Robert for telling me the patent’s expiration date.

Meds & Supplements, Treatment

Breastfeeding and Headache Meds

Kerrie Smyres

According to About.com’s headache and migraine page, women who breastfeed can take some headache meds without exposing their babies to the drugs. The article outlines what precautions mothers should follow if they wish to take abortants or preventives while breastfeeding. Of course, women should consult with their doctors and choose their meds carefully.

Breastfeeding with Head Pain Disorders: What’s Safe, What’s Not and How to Find Out

Meds & Supplements, Treatment

Migranal Spray Redesign

Kerrie Smyres

At last week’s American Headache Society conference, Valeant Pharmaceuticals showed a redesigned Migranal spray mechanism. The complicated assembly of the mechanism has been replaced with a vial and a ready-to-use pump. No studies have been done to see if the new delivery system changes how well or how quickly the drug works. At the very least, you’ll have less to fumble with and think about before you get some relief.