Migraines are a debilitating illness that can take someone out of action from a number of hours to, sometimes, a number of days. The pain of the headache itself is beyond comparison; however, that, coupled with the nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light and sounds, pain around the neck, pain around the face where the sinus cavities are located, and pain in and around the eyes can really weigh heavy on the migraineur.
That is why whenever there is news of new medication on the horizon or a find as to what exactly might cause migraines, migraineurs and their family members perk up and listen.
Zelrix Patch
Produced by NuPathe Pharmaceuticals, this patch comes with a battery attached because it uses an electrical current to get the medicine through the skin and into the blood stream. This proprietary method is called iontophoresis. The medication released from the patch is sumatriptan and is a single-use patch.
Levadex Inhaler
Map Pharmaceuticals is releasing a new inhaler with the medication dihydroergotamine (DHE) in it. Current users of DHE must use it intravenously, which can be quite a hassle. Map Pharmaceuticals’ inhaler has new proprietary technology incorporated into it and is called the Tempo inhaler. It releases a consistent amount of medication at each spray and the speed of the spray is calculated to be at a person’s breathing level.
Developed by CoLucid Pharmaceuticals, this is an exciting new drug. It has recently received clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to proceed with further clinical studies. It is a neurally acting anti-migraine Agent (NAAMA) first-in-class tablet which is designed to be taken orally. First-in-class means that this is a new drug that targets a new way to fight a migraine that has never been tried before. Whereas triptans target the vasoconstrictor 5HT1B receptors, lasmiditan is a ditan which targets the 5HT1F receptors which are in the trigeminal nerve pathway.
Electrical Implant
There is also an electrical implant available which is considered a neurostimulation device. It is available mainly for patients who suffer severe chronic migraines. The device stimulates nerves at the base of the skull, blocking the pain signals from reaching the brain.
Migraines are painful and cost people and businesses both time and money. In the fight against migraines, having a wide choice of different treatments is a blessing to the many who suffer and can’t find solace in what is already on the market.
Sources
"CoLucid Pharmaceuticals Receives Clearance for Investigational New Drug (IND) Application for Lasmiditan for the Treatment of Acute Migraine." Medical News Today Online. 19 Aug 2011. Web. 26 Nov 2011.
"Europe May Have Less Headaches: New Neuro Migraine Device Approved." Medical News Today Online. 8 Sep 2011. Web. 26 Nov 2011.
Mitchell, Deborah. "Inhalable Migraine Drug Levadex Headed for FDA Approval." Emax Health Online. 1 Feb 2011. Web. 26 Nov 2011.
"Several New Migraine Treatments Near FDA Approval." Migraine Disability Online. 23 April 2011. Web. 26 Nov 2011.
Shelly Lange - Shelly Lange enjoys writing, reading, and learning about a variety of topics. She is a wife and mother, and as if that didn't keep her ...
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