Vydura was recently approved in Spain by the Spanish Medicines Agency (AEMPS). For now, it will be financed by the National Health System only as preventive treatment and is indicated for patients with at least 4 migraine attacks per month. In addition, they must have tried at least 3 previous treatments without an adequate response for 3 months. It must be prescribed by a specialist.
Its active ingredient is rigemepant, which belongs to a specific pharmacological group for migraine, the gepants (calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonists). It is administered as an oral tablet every 48 hours.
Advances in migraine treatment
The main acute treatment currently administered for migraine attacks is a triptan; however, 30-40% of patients do not respond adequately to these drugs. One meta-analysis, for example, found that only 3 out of 10 patients experienced freedom from pain two hours after taking sumatriptan. In addition, these are contraindicated in people with hypertension and a history of stroke or heart attack.
Rigemepant provides a therapeutic advantage, as its safety profile is good and side effects are mild: nausea and gastrointestinal discomfort in some cases. It is a good option in patients with cardiovascular risk factors.
Impact of migraine on society
Migraine brings repeated episodes of headache that can be disabling. The pain extends to the entire head, is usually throbbing (like feeling your heartbeat), and can be worse when exposed to light, noise or smells. It may also be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The problem has a genetic basis in 80% of patients and several triggers can act on this predisposition, including stress, disturbed sleep patterns and hormonal changes.
Migraine is found in 12.6% of the Spanish population and affects three times as many women as men. According to the WHO, it is the second most disabling disease (days of healthy life lost due to the disease) and the first for people under 50 years of age. It affects the years of greatest productivity, as well as the personal and family life of the person who suffers from it.
Therefore, any new treatments available are a source of hope for affected people, as they could significantly improve their quality of life.
