Victoria AdolphusRecent research published in The BMJ reveals that certain triptans, commonly used for decades, outperform newer, pricier medications in treating acute migraines.
The Findings
An analysis of 137 randomized controlled trials involving 89,445 participants shows that:
- Eletriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, and zolmitriptan are more effective at relieving migraine pain than newer drugs like lasmiditan, rimegepant, and ubrogepant.
- Triptans work better than paracetamol and most anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs).
- Eletriptan is the most effective drug for pain relief at two hours, followed by rizatriptan, sumatriptan, and zolmitriptan.
Global Impact
Migraine affects over 1 billion people worldwide, causing significant disability. These findings can standardize effective migraine care globally.
Key Takeaways
- Underused treatments: Triptans are widely underused, despite their proven effectiveness.
- Accessibility matters: Promoting access to effective triptans can improve global migraine management.
- Updated guidelines: International guidelines should be revised to reflect these findings.
Expert Insights
“These results offer the best available evidence to guide the choice of acute oral drug interventions for migraine episodes… and should be used to guide treatment choices, promoting shared, informed decision-making between patients and clinicians.” – Messoud Ashina, study author
Next Steps
- Increased accessibility: Advocate for global access to effective triptans.
- Guideline updates: Revise international guidelines to reflect the latest evidence.
- Personalized treatment: Consider individual patient needs and medical histories when selecting treatments.
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How do you manage migraines? Have you tried triptans? Join the conversation in the comments below!
