Following is a news release based on an article published in the November issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). The AAN is an association of more than 14,500 neurologists and neuroscience professionals dedicated to improving patient care through education and research. For a copy of the full article or for more information, contact the Communications Area at 612-695-1940 or by e-mail at [email protected].
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1997
Nasal Spray Provides Fast, Effective Migraine Relief
ST. PAUL, MN (November 21, 1997) People suffering with migraine headaches may now find quick relief - as fast as 15 minutes - with a simple-to-use nasal spray of the drug sumatriptan, an effective migraine treatment also prescribed in oral or injection form. The nasal spray is good news for those who do not like injections or for patients with migraine-induced nausea.
The results of two recent clinical studies, published in the November issue of Neurology, the American Academy of Neurology's scientific journal, show that sumatriptan nasal spray is a rapidly effective, well-tolerated migraine treatment. "The sumatriptan nasal spray bypasses the stomach and is absorbed more quickly than sumatriptan in tablet form. This results in quick onset of relief and means more migraine sufferers (approximately 70 percent) are able to get back on their feet and function normally within two hours," explains lead author Robert Ryan, MD, an ear, nose and throat specialist (Otorhinolaryngologist) at the Ryan Headache Center in St. Louis, MO.
Together, the two studies evaluated 845 patients with severe or moderate migraine headaches. Patients received 20 mg of sumatriptan, 10 mg of sumatriptan or placebo (inactive pill.) They were asked about baseline pain, time to relief following treatment and clinical disability. The 20 mg dose of sumatriptan was the most effective, with 62 to 63 percent of patients reporting that their moderate or severe migraine pain was reduced to mild or none within two hours following medication. Disability due to migraine improved within two hours in 72 to 74 percent of patients taking the 20 mg dose.
"The sumatriptan nasal spray in 20 mg dose is very effective in treating migraine pain and other problems often associated with migraine attacks including disability, nausea, sensitivity to light and noise, with very minimal side effects," says Ryan. "In one study, 20 percent of participants receiving the 20 mg dose reported improvement as soon as 15 minutes after treatment."
Results from earlier studies show that 81 percent of patients using the injection form of sumatriptan find relief at two hours while the sumatriptan tablet has a response rate of 50 percent at two hours. The number of patients with re-occurring or persistent migraines requiring a second medication dose does not significantly vary between the three forms of sumatriptan (approximately 32 percent.) Sumatriptan has been available for migraine treatment by injection since 1993, in oral, tablet form since 1995, and in nasal spray since October 1997.
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