Ubrogepant was able to stop debilitating migraine symptoms before they even started.
A new clinical trial has found that a migraine drug can help stop severe migraine attacks right when they start, allowing you to go about your daily life without symptoms, according to the medical journal NeurologyResearchers said those who took ubrogepant or Ubrelvy were more than 70 percent likely to be functioning normally within a couple of hours.
The drug was also able to stop the debilitating symptoms of migraine, a neurological disorder that causes moderate to severe headaches, often on one side of the head.
“Based on our findings, treatment with ubrogepant may allow people with migraine who experience early warning signs before a migraine occurs to quickly treat migraine attacks in their early stages and continue with their daily lives with little discomfort and disruption,” said researcher Dr. Richard Lipton, vice chair of neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx.
“This could lead to a better quality of life for those living with migraine,” Lipton added.
Ubrogepant blocks the protein that causes pain
According to the researchers, the trial, funded by pharmaceutical company AbbVie, involved more than 500 patients who suffered from two to eight migraine attacks each month. All participants regularly experienced headache symptoms such as sensitivity to light and sound, fatigue, neck pain or stiffness, dizziness or a visual aura.
Ubrogepant is a calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist, or CGRP inhibitor. These drugs work by blocking a small protein that plays a key role in pain transmission. Researchers said participants were given either a placebo pill or a 100-milligram ubrogepant tablet and told to take it when they felt the next migraine coming on.
They were then given either a placebo or ubrogepant (the one they had not received in the first round) and were again asked to take the pill before the next migraine attack. And so, one day after taking the pill, at least 65 percent of those taking ubrogepant reported having few or no migraine symptoms, compared with 48 percent of those taking a placebo.
“Migraine is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide, but many people who suffer from it either receive no treatment or report dissatisfaction with their treatment,” Lipton said in a journal news release.
“Improving care for the early signs of migraine, even before the headache begins, may be key to better outcomes,” Lipton added. “Our findings are encouraging and suggest that ubrogepant may help people with migraine function normally and get on with their day.”
How does ubrogepant work?
According to experts, the drug belongs to a group known as CGRP antagonists and binds to its receptors in the brain, causing a decrease in CGRP levels in the brain, which in turn relieves migraine symptoms.
Researchers said most people taking ubrogepant experience relief of their symptoms within two hours of taking a dose.
Mild side effects of ubrogepant
In addition, there are some side effects of the medication, including:
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Excessive sleepiness
- Nausea
According to researchers, side effects may be temporary and last a few days or weeks. But if they last longer, or if they bother you or become severe, it’s important to talk to your doctor.
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