Hope for 150,000 migraine sufferers as new pain-busting pill gets green light

Thousands of migraine sufferers could soon benefit from a new pill to prevent attacks after it was given the green light by the NHS.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (Nice) has recommended the drug Rimegepant as an option for migraine prevention in up to 145,000 adults who have failed three previous treatments.

Also called Vydura, Pfizer’s drug is taken as a wafer that dissolves under the tongue and is the first oral migraine prevention treatment to be given the go-ahead by the drug regulator.

It will be offered to adults who have at least four migraine attacks per month, but less than 15.

Helen Knight, Nice’s director of drug evaluation, said: ‘Every year, the lives of millions of people in England are devastated by migraine attacks.

“They can be extremely debilitating and significantly affect a person’s quality of life.”

She added: “Rimegepant is the first oral treatment for migraine recommended by Nice and for many thousands of people it is likely to be a welcome and more convenient addition to existing options for a condition that is often overlooked and undertreated.”

It is thought that more than 5.6 million people in England have episodic migraines and there are about 190,000 attacks every day.

Attacks usually last between four and 72 hours and symptoms include disturbed vision, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea and vomiting.

Beta-blockers, antidepressants, injections and anti-seizure medications are used to relieve headaches, but can have significant side effects and be ineffective, according to Nice.

The latest drug works by stopping the release of a protein around the brain called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). CGRP causes intense inflammation in the meninges (the meninges) and is responsible for the severe pain associated with migraine attacks.

Charities welcomed the news treatment but said they were disappointed it wasn’t also approved for acute migraines.

Rob Music, chief executive of the Migraine Trust, said: ‘Too many people with migraines end up with medication overuse headaches as a result of their migraine treatment, which has a serious impact on their lives. This is an impact that is preventable if migraines are treated effectively.

‘Gepants, the new class of migraine medication that includes Rimegepant, can help prevent this. While we are pleased that it has been approved for the preventive treatment of migraine, we are very disappointed by the decision not to approve it for the acute treatment of migraine.”

Toby Cousens, Head of Hospital and Internal Medicine at Pfizer UK, said: ‘Today’s decision is a positive step forward to help meet the healthcare needs of eligible patients in England and Wales.

“We are committed to improving the lives of those living with the burden of migraine and will continue to work with Nice and other UK health authorities to help improve access and care further.”