Anvisa approves new drug to treat migraine attacks

Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency) approved, this Monday (25), a new medicine for the treatment of migraines.

The medicine is called Nurtec ODT and is indicated for adults in the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura and in the preventive treatment of episodic migraine.

The medication is from the manufacturer Pfizer and is indicated for use in adult patients who have at least four attacks per month.

According to Anvisa, the active ingredient in Nurtec is rimegepant hemisulfate sesquihydrate, which belongs to a new class of migraine medications.

It works by blocking the action of calcitonin (CGRP), a protein that causes inflammation and migraine pain.

Migraine is a serious, chronic and disabling neurological disease characterized by headache attacks of moderate to severe intensity. Seizures may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, photophobia (sensitivity to light) and phonophobia (sensitivity to sound).

Migraine attacks usually last four to 72 hours if left untreated or treated unsuccessfully. People with migraines may experience an aura about 30 minutes to an hour before the headache starts.

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Source: CNN