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TriptanTriptans are a family of tryptamine based drugs used as abortive medication in the treatment of migraine and cluster headaches. They were first introduced in the 1990s. While effective at treating individual headaches, they are neither a preventative nor a cure. Triptans include sumatriptan (Imitrex, Imigran), rizatriptan (Maxalt), naratriptan (Amerge, Naramig), zolmitriptan (Zomig), eletriptan (Relpax), almotriptan (Axert, Almogran), and frovatriptan (Frova, Migard). Additional recommended knowledge
Mechanism of actionTheir action is attributed to their binding to serotonin 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptors in cranial blood vessels (causing their constriction) and subsequent inhibition of pro-inflammatory neuropeptide release. Evidence is accumulating that these drugs are effective because they act on serotonin receptors in nerve endings as well as the blood vessels. This leads to a decrease in the release of several peptides, including CGRP and Substance P. AvailabilityThese drugs have been available only by prescription (US, Canada and UK), but sumatriptan became available over-the-counter in the UK in June, 2006.[1] The brand name of the OTC product in the UK is Imigran Recovery. Injectable sumatriptan should be available in generic formula in early 2007 as the patent on Imitrex STATDose expires in December, 2006. The patent on Imitrex tablets expires in the USA in 2009, and the generic sumatriptan tablets should be available shortly thereafter. Many migraine sufferers do not use them only because they have not sought treatment from a physician, but others don't because they know that they can't afford them at current prescription prices. EffectivnessMigrainesSumatriptan and related selective serotonin receptor agonists are excellent for severe migraines or those that do not respond to NSAIDs [2] or other over-the-counter drugs.[3] Triptans are a mid-line treatment suitable for many migraineurs with typical migraines. They may not work for atypical or unusually severe migraines, transformed migraines, or status (continuous) migraines. Triptans are highly effective, reducing the symptoms or aborting the attack within 30 to 90 minutes in 70-80% of patients.[citation needed] Many patients have a recurrent migraine later in the day, and only one such recurrence in a day can be treated with a second dose of a triptan. Triptan therapy has been shown to result in a reduction in lost productivity.[citation needed] Sumatriptan has been shown to result in an average of 0.5 fewer missed workdays during the first three months of therapy and 0.7 fewer missed workdays within the first six months, as well as a reduction in the number of days spent working while symptomatic.[citation needed] The average reduction in lost productivity has been estimated at $1,249, at a cost of $25 per day of disability avoided. The annual net savings in reduced health care costs and lost productivity, over the increased cost of triptan therapy, has been estimated at between $114 and $540 per patient; thus the use of these pharmaceuticals represents a cost savings as well as an improvement in the patients' quality of life.[citation needed] Assessment of efficacy may be contaminated by how the triptan is encapsulated in order to mask active treatment.[4] A test measuring a person's skin sensitivity during a migraine may indicate whether the individual will respond to treatment with triptans.[citation needed] Triptans are most effective in those with no skin sensitivity; with skin sensitivity, it is best to take triptans within twenty minutes of the headache's onset. Altitude sicknessA single randomized controlled trial found that sumatriptan may be able to prevent altitude sickness.[5] Adverse effectsTriptans have few side effects if used in correct dosage and frequency. The most common adverse effect is recurrence of migraine. A systematic review found that "rizatriptan 10 mg was the only triptan with a recurrence rate greater than that of placebo".[6] There is a theoretical risk of coronary spasm in patients with established heart disease, and cardiac events after taking tripans may rarely occur.[7] At least two types of triptans (Sumatriptan and Rizatriptan) have been listed under the unacceptable medication by the Canadian Blood Service, as a potential risk to the Donor[citation needed]; hence, donors are required not to have taken the medication for the last 72 hours. CostA systematic review concluded "".[6] Triptans' cost, typically $20 USD per dose and up to two doses per headache, is a serious problem for low-income patients. In most non-US countries these costs are considerably lower — typically $5-10 per dose. Drug companies sometimes provide them free to low-income patients in the USA.[citation needed] References
See also
Categories: Tryptamines | Triptans |
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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Triptan". A list of authors is available in Wikipedia. |