Published by: Aprilyn Sado
Date Published: September 21, 2024
Time Published: 7:21 AM
Major global analysis released in Paris on September 19, found that newer, more expensive migraine medications provide no added benefit over traditional painkillers and are even less effective than older triptan treatments.
Building on this, a recent study compared new migraine medications to common pain relievers like paracetamol, suggesting that older medications, developed in the 1990s, should be prescribed more frequently.
Among the triptans, Eletriptan proved to be the most effective for pain relief within 2 hours, with odds ratios ranging from 1.46 to 3.01, followed by Rizatriptan (ORs from 1.59 to 2.44), Sumatriptan (ORs from 1.35 to 2.04), and Zolmitriptan (ORs from 1.47 to 1.96). The study regretted that these medications are currently widely underused.
In 137 controlled trials testing new medications for treating migraine attacks, 89,445 patients were given one of 17 drugs or a placebo.
Based on the study, after two hours, all of the medications were more successful than a placebo at relieving migraine discomfort, with the majority providing relief for up to 24 hours.
A network meta-analysis and systematic review published in the BMJ journal found triptans are more effective for migraine relief compared to new and more expensive migraine medications.
Migraines typically affect people between the ages of 35 and 45 and can last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours, which often start during puberty. And according to the World Health Organization (WHO), women are particularly affected, possibly due to hormonal factors.
Andrea Cipriani of the University of Oxford noted that migraines create significant personal costs and are one of the main causes of impairment among young women.
REFERENCES:
[1] Shrosphire Star (2024, September 19) New migraine drugs 'comparable to paracetamol', researchers suggest —
https://www.shropshirestar.com/.../new-migraine-drugs.../
[2] Inquirer Net (2024, September 19) New migraine drugs no better than cheap painkillers— big study https://globalnation.inquirer.net/.../new-migraine-drugs...
[3] World Health Organization (2024, March 6) — Migraine and other headache disorders https://www.who.int/.../fact.../detail/headache-disorders
[4] George, J. (2024, September 18) Older migraine drugs more effective than newer ones, analysis suggests — MEDPAGE. TODAY
https://www.medpagetoday.com/neurology/migraines/112021
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