Twelve percent of adults in the U.S. suffer from migraines, a disease that causes debilitating headache episodes that last between 4 and 72 hours. Those affected experience anywhere from 2 to more than 15 migraine days per month, which greatly affects quality of life. Triptans are currently the most popular type of migration medication, consisting of a family of drugs, which although effective for 75% of patients, may not be safe for those with cardiovascular disease.

Scientists are continuing to investigate another class of migraine medication called gepants. Gepants target the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor, which is thought to play a role in triggering pain. Last week, a new medication called ubrogepant passed a large scale phase 3 clinical trial. Of patients who were given the medication, about 20% experienced relief of symptoms, compared to 14% who experienced relief from placebo.

With ubrogepant only successfully treating 6% of patients over placebo, triptans remain the most effective medications available. However, ubrogepant may still be useful as an alternative medication for those that don’t respond to or experience side effects from triptans or for those with preexisting cardiovascular conditions. Ubrogepant will move onto the last phase of clinical trials, which will evaluate its long term effectiveness, and may be approved by the FDA as early as next month.

Managing Correspondent: Jeremy Gungabeesoon

News Article: A New Type of Migraine Medication Just Passed a Promising Large-Scale Trial. ScienceAlert

Original Article: Effect of Ubrogepant vs Placebo on Pain and the Most Bothersome Associated Symptom in the Acute Treatment of Migraine. JAMA

Image Credit: Sketchport

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