New Drugs for Migraine

The Journal of Headache and Pain
Lars Jacob Stovner1, 2, 3 , Erling Tronvik1, 2, 3 and Knut Hagen1, 2, 3
(1) Norwegian National Headache Centre, Trondheim University Hospital, 7006 Trondheim, Norway
(2) Department of Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
(3) St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
Received: 30 July 2009 Accepted: 1 September 2009 Published online: 1 October 2009
Abstract After the triptans, a calcitonin gene-related peptide blocker (telcagepant) is the first acute medicine that has been developed primarily for treatment of acute migraine. Otherwise, the new drugs have been developed first for other purposes, like anticonvulsants, antihypertensives and antidepressants used for migraine prophylaxis. For acute attacks, a new way to administer a traditional drug like dihydroergotamine is under way, and documentation of efficacy in migraine has been gained for some commonly used painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, and for some herbal extracts. Based on insights into the basic pathophysiological mechanisms of the disorder, some drugs have been developed which seem promising in early phase II studies (NOS inhibitors and 5HT1F-receptor agonists). In the future, development and enhancements of existing medicines must be accompanied by increased efforts to develop truly new migraine drugs based on knowledge of the pathophysiology if one wishes to reduce substantially the great burden migraine poses on patients and society.

Lars Jacob Stovner
Email: lars.stovner@ntnu.no