Hope for migraine sufferers as new drug treatment gets NHS green light

THOUSANDS of migraine sufferers will benefit as the NHS makes a new drug available.

Rimegepant – also called Vydura – is the first drug recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence for the treatment of acute migraines.

1

Charities welcomed the decision, saying the drug brings “new hope” to around 13,000 Brits with the debilitating disease.

Helen Knight from NICE said: “This is the first and only medicine recommended by NICE that can help relieve the misery of acute migraines.

“Migraine is an invisible disability that affects all aspects of life, including work, education, finances, mental health, social activities and family.

“Today’s final draft guidelines address the high unmet need for treatment options for acute migraine.”

Around 6.1 million Brits suffer from agonizing migraines, with an estimated 190,000 attacks occurring daily in England.

Up to a quarter of women may suffer from this condition, while it occurs in 2 to 10 percent of men.

Symptoms include pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and visual disturbances called “aura.”

Under new guidance from NICE, rimegepant will be available to adults who have tried at least two triptans but found they didn’t work well enough.

It may also be given to patients who are unable to take triptans – medications usually used to treat headaches or migraines – or have an intolerance, or patients who have tried non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and paracetamol .

In July, the drug was recommended as an option to prevent episodic migraines in adults who have at least four and fewer than 15 attacks per month when “at least” three other treatments have not worked.

Robert Music, from the Migraine Trust, said: “This decision offers people with migraines valuable opportunities to reduce the pain and duration of a migraine attack.”

“It particularly benefits those who have not found effective treatment, those who experience debilitating side effects as a result – including headaches from medication overuse – and those with cardiovascular disease who cannot take existing treatments.”

“Migraine is an incredibly misunderstood condition that can have a significant impact on all areas of life, including the ability to work, maintain relationships and mental health.”