There Is A New Drug For Migraine Prevention

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved an innovative drug for the treatment of migraine. It is, in fact, a series of injections that have the ability to prevent migraines and are given monthly. The medicine is called Aimovig and its common name is erenumab.

What is revolutionary here?

New options for treating migraines offer solutions for those people who suffer from the awkward effects of this disease. While it may seem incomprehensible to many, retreating into a dark and quiet room to relieve unbearable headaches is a terrible situation.

Until then, migraine sufferers had to endure accusations of neglecting duties due to “mere headaches”. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Migraines have a significant genetic origin: in fact, they mainly affect women. So it’s not the result of certain lifestyles or stress, like many other things.

Naturally, this is an even bigger reason to take care of it.

How does Aimovig work?

The effects of this mighty drug were revealed at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology.

According to the digital journal IFL Science, the biggest benefit of the drug is that it prevents the triggering of migraines. This medicine therefore prevents migraines, instead of fighting it when it is already on.

The researchers showed that the effects of the drug are so long-lasting that it can be taken every month. Not even oral pills are needed. A monthly injection of 70-140 milligrams is sufficient.

This dose blocks the molecules that carry migraine signals. These signals cause the severe pain typical of the disease.

Side effects and price

According to medical publications, the side effects of this drug are very minor. But the drug may not work in the same way for all patients.

In the studies, one third of the patients who received the medicine experienced a significant improvement. Only a few said their symptoms had stopped completely. However, several of the subjects did not find the drug helpful.

Still not available

Unfortunately, it may take some time before this new drug for migraine prevention is widely available. The drug is expensive, so it is not readily available to those whose insurance does not reimburse it or who do not receive a refund for drug costs.

The pharmaceutical company Amgen reported that the price of each injection is US $575. The European Medicines Agency, for its part, is evaluating the possible authorization of the medicine. If the drug is approved, its price will depend on negotiations between Amgen and public health systems.

In its statement, this U.S. company advocated a high price for its drug. According to it, the drug would have a very positive effect on both patients and health professionals.

Hopefully, the drug will soon be more widely and cheaply available.

Other medicines to prevent migraines

Of course, this is not the first drug to prevent migraines. There are other methods previously approved by the FDA, such as the following drugs: methysergide, propranolol, timolol, and sodium valproate.

However, their use can have side effects. Therefore, it is essential that the physician evaluates the effects of the drug on the patient in order to adjust the dose correctly or to discontinue the medication if necessary.

Migraine in figures

Symptoms of migraine, including nausea, photosensitivity and sharp pain in the head, affect more than 10% of the European population. And even worse, more than 1% of them suffer from migraines at least every three days.

Some migraine patients are able to treat their symptoms with traditional treatments or even home remedies. But there are also those with migraines that have a very serious effect on mood and life on a daily basis.

Here are some facts about migraines:

• It affects one in ten people.
• It usually occurs after the age of 20, but children can also suffer from it.
• There are several different types of migraines that differ in what part of the brain they affect.

• The most severe and severe is neuralgic migraine.
• Although the cause of a migraine is genetic, it can be triggered by any internal or external stimulus. It is recommended to keep a record of possible triggers for a migraine attack.

Given that millions of people around the world suffer from migraines, it seems promising to get this reading down, even a little at a time. If more drug alternatives like Aimovig are invented, it will improve the quality of life for thousands of people.