In 2018 we saw the first ever medications (CGRP inhibitors) designed specifically for migraine prevention, which is a huge step forward for migraine treatment
Well, 2018 is now over and, oh boy, this has been a roller coaster year for those of us with migraine. This year we have seen the FIRST EVER medications designed specifically for migraine prevention, which is a huge step forward for treatment and hopefully ultimately for a cure to this disabling neurological disease.
However, along with the excitement and renewed hope has also come disappointment and discouragement for those who have either not been able to access the medications yet, not found them to be effective, or had intolerable side effects. There is a huge mix of hope, excitement, fear, disappointment, frustration & more.
BUT, this is the good news. We are in a new era of migraine research and treatment finally, and there are several more migraine-specific medications that are in the clinical pipeline. For those who don’t know, the clinical pipeline refers to medications currently being researched & tested. Now more than ever 2019 should be a year of hope for us! Here are just a few of the medications that are in the pipeline (note, we do not have the brand names for them yet but will update as we find out):
Eptinezumab: migraine preventive CGRP inhibitor Administered via IV in your doctors office once every three months. Produced by Alder Pharmaceuticals. Expected to apply for an FDA license anytime now!
Rimegepant: migraine abortive AND preventive CGRP antagonist, oral tablet taken as needed or daily. Produced by BioHaven. Expected to apply for an FDA license in the first half of 2019. Also working on an intranasal version that’s still in trials.
Ubrogepant: migraine abortive CGRP antagonist, oral tablet taken as needed. Produced by Allergan. Expected to apply for an FDA license early 2019.
Atogepant: migraine preventative CGRP antagonist, oral tablet taken once a month. Produced by Allergan. Expected to apply for an FDA license in 2019.
Besides these new medications in the pipeline there are also other CGRP medications in earlier stages of testing as well as other non-CGRP medications and medical devices in various stages of the process such as Lasmiditan, PACAP-38, Neurolief, Nerivio & more! This group is specific to the CGRP medications but I post about the other new ones on my FB profile as news becomes available:)
In short, have hope and remain strong as we continue on this journey together. We are here to support, inform and help guide you through the maze and massive influx of new information right now, and we are so glad that you are part of this group! Hugs to all of you and wishing all of us a peaceful and pain-reduced new year đŸ™‚