On September 25-26, 2020, an international neurology conference, Future of Neurology, took place!
I received an invitation from the conference chairman, Prof. Silberstein, to join the annual event.
I would like to share with you several important points presented at the conference regarding pharmacological treatment for migraine attacks.
A. Migraine must be treated promptly, as it can progress and develop into chronic migraine:
– More severe (headache 15 to 30 days per month)
– Associated with psychiatric symptoms (depression, anxiety, sleep disorders)
– Associated with cardiovascular diseases (such as stroke)
– Accompanied by medication overuse headache (new headache or worsening of existing headache)
– Much more difficult to treat
B. There is a need for new treatment, as existing treatment is insufficient:
– Lack of efficacy (consequently, 40% discontinue triptan use, MAST study)
– Side effects (consequently, an additional 20% discontinue triptan use, MAST study)
– Causes medication overuse headache (development under triptan treatment more than two days per week)
– Triptan use is contraindicated in vascular diseases (arterial constriction)
– Duration of efficacy of acute medications is too short; in practice, patients take dozens of pills per day
– It is not well known how to treat chronic migraine attacks with daily headache
C. In 2018, the revolution in migraine treatment began, and today an effective solution can be found for anyone suffering from migraine
Today I will present the innovative treatment with Nurtec and will continue to update you on innovative treatments going forward
GEPANTS (ORAL ANTI-CGRP) Innovative Treatment for Migraine Attack
In February 2020, Nurtec 75 mg tablet received FDA approval
– Effective treatment (begins to provide relief quickly, headache relief within two hours in 59% of patients)
– Safe treatment (side effects at highest frequency: nausea in 1.6%, no effect on the liver)
– Does not cause medication overuse headache (no rebound headache)
– Permitted for use in vascular diseases (no effect on arteries)
– Duration of efficacy is long (headache relief up to two days in 42% of patients)
– Effective treatment also for chronic migraine up to daily headache (use every two days significantly reduces the number of headache days, therefore the treatment may receive approval as a preventive for migraine)
– Unlike triptans, the treatment is effective both at the onset of headache and during a migraine attack
At the Israeli Center for Migraine Treatment, we use innovative treatments. The time has come to be free of migraine!
Many thanks to Prof. Silberstein for the wonderful opportunity to join the “Future of Neurology” conference!
