New drug Monthly injections can help against migraines

Now finally the syringe for migraine?

Migraine is a very severe one-sided headache. This neurological disorder affects about 10 percent of the population. Researchers have now submitted a drug for approval, which could protect those affected by a monthly injection of migraine.

A drug called Aimovig should protect those affected from migraines in the future. The EU Commission has already granted the manufacturer Novartis the approval of the antibody Erenumab. So the syringe for migraine could already be available on the market in a while. In the UK, the manufacturer has just submitted the drug for approval.

Drug in the market in September?

If the approval is successful, the drug could be offered by the NHS as early as next year. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has already granted a license for use in patients with at least four migraine attacks per month. Novartis announced that patients will be able to obtain the drug privately in September.

Symptoms of migraine

The experts believe that this new treatment has the potential to help many people with chronic and episodic migraine. Migraine is incredibly painful and has symptoms that include, for example, vomiting and blurred vision. When people suffer from migraines, they are unable to live normally. Mostly, only rest and staying in a darkened room helps. Sometimes, even before a migraine attack, a so-called migraine aura occurs. During this time, especially visual or sensory disturbances of perception can be experienced by the patient. In addition, it is also possible that sufferers suffer from motor disorders. Because of all these negative effects, the drug must be available to patients as quickly as possible, the researchers say.

What is the cause of migraine?

The researchers know very little about what exactly causes migraine. There is currently no cure for migraine, just a handful of treatments that can alleviate the symptoms. Chronic migraine affects more than 600,000 people in the UK alone and can have devastating effects on the quality of life of those who suffer from it, say the doctors.

Advanced clinical trials are already underway

Erenumab was originally developed to block the activity of a molecule called calcitonin gene-related peptides (CGRP). Erenumab, also known as Aimovig, could be the first in a new class of drugs many scientists believe may stop migraines at its roots. Four different pharmaceutical companies are already conducting advanced clinical trials of antibodies to CGRP. The substance triggers sensitive reactions in the nerves, face, head, jaw and red blood cells surrounding the brain. Researchers have studied drugs to stop CGRP by binding or blocking its receptors.

Drug can be self-administered

Novartis Pharmaceuticals has submitted an application to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for self-administration with a so-called injection pen at home. Erenumab is the first and only approved treatment specifically developed for the prevention of migraine. The development of the drug demonstrates its commitment to developing innovative therapies for people suffering from the neurological disorder, according to Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK CEO Haseeb Ahmad, according to the English-language magazine Mirror online. (As)