The Great Migraine Drug race
September 29th 2006 05:21
At the moment there are a number of new migraine and tension headache drugs that are close to being released as drug producers race to the finish line to get their lastest concoction out to the buying public.
Although I don't like taking medication for migraines and head pain, and prefer to treat them naturally, I do believe there is a place for drug therapy - firstly for people who are only just starting to get symptoms. In this case, I believe drugs need to be used for pain control until other methods are found, triggers are uncovered etc. Secondly, medication should be a last resort when all else has failed. Although I don't like drugs, I believe it's worth taking a look every so often as to what is out on the market.
So what new drugs are about to hit the market?
Trexima, a combination of Imitrex migraine drug and naproxen sodium, approved and available by the fall int he US. Trexima is used when experiencing acute pain.
TOPAMAX® is approved in the UK as a treatment for epilepsy. More recently, TOPAMAX® has been approved for migraine prophylaxis in 41 countries. Topamax is a preventative and needs to be taken daily.
Zolmitriptan nasal spray, used to treat migraine headaches, also may be safe and effective in treating painful cluster headaches, according to an article posted online today that will appear in the November 2006 print issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
MAP Pharmaceuticals recently announced the initiation and first patient dosing of a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating MAP0004 for the treatment of acute migraine headaches. MAP0004 is a novel inhaled drug formulation of dihydroergotamine mesylate (DHE) administered with MAP's patented Tempo(TM) Inhaler. The therapy is intended to offer fast onset of action similar to an IV infusion, but without the need for an injection in a hospital or doctor's office setting.
Although I don't like taking medication for migraines and head pain, and prefer to treat them naturally, I do believe there is a place for drug therapy - firstly for people who are only just starting to get symptoms. In this case, I believe drugs need to be used for pain control until other methods are found, triggers are uncovered etc. Secondly, medication should be a last resort when all else has failed. Although I don't like drugs, I believe it's worth taking a look every so often as to what is out on the market.
So what new drugs are about to hit the market?
Trexima, a combination of Imitrex migraine drug and naproxen sodium, approved and available by the fall int he US. Trexima is used when experiencing acute pain.
TOPAMAX® is approved in the UK as a treatment for epilepsy. More recently, TOPAMAX® has been approved for migraine prophylaxis in 41 countries. Topamax is a preventative and needs to be taken daily.
Zolmitriptan nasal spray, used to treat migraine headaches, also may be safe and effective in treating painful cluster headaches, according to an article posted online today that will appear in the November 2006 print issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
MAP Pharmaceuticals recently announced the initiation and first patient dosing of a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating MAP0004 for the treatment of acute migraine headaches. MAP0004 is a novel inhaled drug formulation of dihydroergotamine mesylate (DHE) administered with MAP's patented Tempo(TM) Inhaler. The therapy is intended to offer fast onset of action similar to an IV infusion, but without the need for an injection in a hospital or doctor's office setting.
| 26 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog









