Clinical efficacy of frovatriptan: placebo-controlled studies.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To confirm the clinical efficacy of frovatriptan 2.5 mg.

BACKGROUND:

Frovatriptan is a new 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)(1B/1D) receptor agonist being developed for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura. Results from preclinical and clinical pharmacology studies showed frovatriptan to be a potent 5-HT(1B) receptor agonist with a long terminal elimination half-life (26 hours) and a broad therapeutic index.

DESIGN:

Three randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group trials, in a total of 2676 patients, were performed to confirm the clinical efficacy of frovatriptan 2.5 mg for the acute treatment of migraine.

RESULTS:

In all three studies, headache response 2 hours after frovatriptan dosing was significantly greater than that seen with placebo (P < or = .001) with approximately a two-fold measure of effect over placebo for headache response at 2 and 4 hours postdosing. Time to headache response occurred within 1.5 hours in a substantial proportion of patients. The incidence of 24-hour headache recurrence with frovatriptan was low (10% to 25%). Frovatriptan therapy also was associated with a high degree of patient satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS:

Frovatriptan represents a consistently effective acute treatment for migraine and accompanying symptoms.

• Authors: R Ryan, G Géraud, J Goldstein, R Cady, C Keywood
• Journal: Headache (Headache) Vol. 42 Suppl 2 Pg. S84-92 (Apr 2002) ISSN: 0017-8748 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12028324 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Carbazoles
• Serotonin Receptor Agonists
• Tryptamines
• frovatriptan

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Carbazoles (therapeutic use)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Migraine Disorders (drug therapy)
• Serotonin Receptor Agonists (therapeutic use)
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome
• Tryptamines