According the National Headache Foundation, 29.5 million Americans suffer from migraine headaches. In addition to the medical care costs of migraine sufferers, there are also the costs of missed days at work and reduced productivity. Although the development of triptan drugs expanded the treatments available for migraine sufferers, drug companies are continually searching for new drugs to treat this painful condition.
Levadex
Levadex is a form of dihydroergotamine that is inhaled by mouth. Dihydroergotamine is presently available as an injection and nasal spray that is sold under the brand name Migranal. In 2009, the oral inhalation was in phase 3 clinical trials, which is the last testing phase before the drug is submitted to the FDA for approval.
Dihydroergotamine relieves headaches when given by IV injection, but IV is not practical outside of the hospital setting. When given as an oral tablet or by nasal inhalation, dihydroergotamine is not absorbed well. Research shows that the orally inhaled form of dihydroergotamine is well absorbed and effective for migraine.
Dihydroergotamine is a vasoconstrictor, which means it constricts the blood vessels in the brain that have dilated, or expanded, to cause pain. Studies show that orally-inhaled Levadex is effective in relieving migraines. Some patients report headache relief within 30 minutes, with relief lasting for 48 hours.
Telcagepant
Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a neuropeptide that increases during migraine attacks. CGRP works in the brain as a vasodilator. This means that it causes blood vessels in the brain to dilate, or expand. Telcagepant blocks the effect of CGRP and allows blood vessels to return to their normal size.
Telcagepant reached stage 3 of the drug testing process in 2009. Studies show that it relieves acute migraine attacks within two hours and prevents recurrence for 24 hours.
Botox
In years past, people only thought of botulinum toxin as the cause of the paralytic syndrome known as botulism. In recent years, it became known as a treatment for wrinkles around the eyes and forehead.
In several studies, researchers compared the number of migraines in people injected with Botox and a placebo, or dummy drug. While Botox users had slightly fewer migraines than the placebo group, the reduction was not enough to be considered statistically significant.
References
- National Headache Foundation: Migraine Information Page
- Poster Presented to the National Headache Congress: Efficacy Evaluation of Levadex in Treating Resistant Migraine Including Migraine With Allodynia, Migraine Treated Late in Its Cycle, Morning Migraine and Disabling Migraine
- The Journal of the American Academy of Neurology: Randomized, Controlled Trial of Telcagepant for the Acute Treatment of Migraine
