Migraines and Medicines
The European Medicine Agency has recently granted a license for a new medicine to help prevent reoccurring chronic migraines in adults who experience at least 4 migraine days a month. Aimovig, (Erenumab), is the only drug that has been designed to prevent migraine.
Chronic migraines affect more than 600,000 people across the UK.
Migraine can be incredibly debilitating and may include symptoms such as visual disturbance and vomiting and can ruin lives. Many sufferers cannot function when they have a migraine.
In clinical trials Aimovig has shown to reduce the number of days individuals suffer with migraines. The Migraine Trust has worked closely for many years in the research of the drug.
It is thought to block the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor which is thought to transmit the pain signals associated with migraine.
The drug can be administered at home once a month with an auto – injector pen.
In the UK any new drug needs to go through the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) who will then make its recommendations for use in the NHS. However, the manufacturer says that it will be available privately from September under the EU license.
As there is no cure for migraines if this medication is given the go ahead it may be able to help thousands of sufferers. It is hopeful that this drug becomes available to as many patients as possible as soon as possible.
Guardian 31/7/2018
www.shutterstock.co.uk