A new study has highlighted the effectiveness of drugs from the 1990s as one of the most beneficial options for treating migraines. The research compared these older drugs, specifically certain triptans, to newer migraine treatments. Triptans, including eletriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, and zolmitriptan, were identified as the most effective treatments for migraine. These drugs were found to work quickly and provide relief for up to 24 hours.
In contrast, newer drugs such as ubrogepant, atogepant, and rimegepant, also known as gepants, were compared in the study but were not considered as effective as the older triptans. The research, which included 137 controlled trials involving over 89,000 patients, showed that triptans outperformed other medications like paracetamol and anti-inflammatory painkillers in relieving migraine pain.
Lead author of the study, Professor Andrea Cipriani from the University of Oxford, emphasised the importance of promoting the use of these effective migraine treatments. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) in England recommends certain triptans for migraine treatment.
The Migraine Trust estimates that around 10 million people in the UK suffer from migraines, highlighting the significance of effective treatment options for this neurological condition. While triptans are praised for their efficacy, the study also raised concerns about some individuals not responding well to these drugs or experiencing intolerable side effects.
It is suggested that newer migraine treatments should not be deprioritised but rather made more accessible to provide patients with a range of options for managing their migraine symptoms. Enhancing access to effective treatments can significantly impact the quality of life for those living with migraines and reduce the burden of this condition on individuals and society.