Pfizer reports that FDA has approved its drug zavegepant (Zavzpret) for the treatment of migraines. The nasal spray medication will be available in pharmacies in July, the company said. The drug contains a migraine inhibitor that works by impeding the release of proteins called calcitonin gene-related peptides. The drug was found to perform better than a placebo in relieving pain and certain symptoms, according to clinical trial results published in The Lancet Neurology. Trial participants who received zavegepant as a nasal spray were more likely to report returning to normal function within 30 minutes to 2 hours. The trial monitored 1,269 patients, of whom about one-half used the drug and the remainder received a placebo. Researchers examined how patients reported feeling 2 hours after using either substance. About 24% who received zavegepant reported being free from pain, compared with about 15% who received a placebo, the study found. Timothy A. Collins, chief of the headache and pain division at Duke University Medical Center’s neurology department, said the product gives physicians a new option for patients with migraines, especially for those with nausea, who may want to avoid swallowing a tablet. He also said the drug causes fewer adverse effects, such as drowsiness, and is safe for patients who have had a heart attack or a stroke.
See more… -May Require Paid Subscription