Another new drug for migraine is likely on its way to Canada.
A completely new type of migraine preventive medication has been developed over the last ten years, one which uses antibodies to stop migraine attacks. These antibodies are similar to the ones that help you fight viruses, like the common cold, but they are made to attach to molecules that are important in producing migraine attacks. By stopping these molecules from working, they reduce the frequency of migraine attacks in many patients.
Four new antibody preventive treatments for migraine have been tested in research trials over the last six years. Two of these are already available in Canada. We have had erenumab (Aimovig) since August, 2018, and galcanezumab (Emgality) since October, 2019. A third one, fremanezumab (Ajovy), will likely be coming to Canada later this year. All of these are usually taken once a month by subcutaneous injection (an injection under the skin).
What is new now is that the fourth medication in this class, an antibody called eptinezumab (Vyepti) has just been approved by the FDA in the United States, and will likely be available to patients there by April, 2020. It will take longer for eptinezumab to come to Canada, but the company involved, Lundbeck Canada), will likely bring it to Canada within the next year.
Eptinezumab is similar to Emgality and Ajovy in that it attaches to a molecule called CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide) and inactivates it. It is different in that it is given intravenously. This intravenous injection only needs to be given every three months. It has very few side-effects; in clinical research studies, less than 2 % of patients stopped the medication because of side effects.
Like all previous migraine preventive medications, eptinezumab does not help everybody. In chronic migraine (patients with migraine and headache on 15 days a month or more) it reduced the headache days by 75% or more in 33 % of patients. It reduced headache days by 50 % or more in 57%. Another study in chronic migraine reported that 61% of patients had a reduction in headache days of 50% or more. As an intravenous medication, eptinezumab may be able to work very quickly. It has been shown to reduce the likelihood of a headache on the day after the injection.
References
1. Dodick DW et al, Eptinezumab for prevention of chronic migraine: A randomized phase 2b clinical trial. Cephalalgia 2019,:39: 1075–1085.
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If you are still testing in Canada, I would LOVE to be a test case. I have been diagnosed as Chronic Migraine and have some sort of headache EVERY day. It is only the intensity that changes. I am now retired and so can be available whenever for treatment, discussions, etc.
Sounds awful. I used to have this but ended up being diagnosed with a vestibular disorder and this changed everything. My daily headache went away with treatment. I did find that taking gravel daily helped a lot during this time. Best of luck.
A new orally dissolving CGRP drug was just approved in the United States two weeks ago.
Its called Nurtec by Biohaven. Will be selling this month. Not sure when it’s coming to Canada, but it is a game changer.
No injection and its label basically says its preventative although that study will be out any week now.
I’d love to do a trial for any of the migraine drugs. I’ve suffered for over 30 years try many different drugs and injections. PLEASE CONSIDER ME
I would be willing to be in all or any trial groups… I just found out my amovig will not be covered by my insurance and that the GO program I am with will be discontinuing my doses.
I would like to signed up for the test trials, as I’ve been suffering from migraines for 45 years (started early childhood). Last 5, my migraines have increased significantly to almost everday of every month (29 out of 31 days). Please consider me for your trials.
Why does it take so long for these drugs to come to Canada
Once approved in USA they do always come here but we must wait and wait
I have been on AJOVY FOR 18 months I buy in in the USA which is very inconvenient and expensive
And now the border is closed and I do t know what I will do!!!’
Hi Shari, if you don’t mind, could you please let me know how you can buy medications in the US? I’d love to be able to! As you said, it takes forever for these medications to come to Canada and is super frustrating! Thanks so much!
Hi
I would love to know too- I have no issue driving to the states from Calgary.
Thanks
I would like to know too!
i would like to receive news for migraine drugs, i stuck with migraines since 30 years, 365 days/year, 24/24 just the intensity that sometime are a but lest.
Bonjour, suggestion de consulter votre neurologue et lui demander de tester pour voir si vous ne souffrez pas plutôt du NDPH (New daily persistant headache). Maladie pas très connue. Existe depuis 1986. Seulement 4% de la population mondiale en souffre. J’ai consulté aussi pour une deuxième opinion et le résultat est le même. Je souffre de cette maladie depuis le 4 sept., 2017. 24/24 365jrs/année. Sur une échelle de 10 je suis toujours à 7/10. J’ai essayé plusieurs traitements par injections et comprimés et rien ne semble m’aider. Depuis environ 2ans, à toute les 10sem. je reçois 39 injections de botox dans la tête et ça aide. Le botox est donné en plus petites doses de façon à geler les terminaisons nerveuses. Ne se compare pas avec un traitement esthétique. Je vous souhaite bonne chance !!
I am in Canada and would be willing to be involved in the trial
My message sent before I was done. I have suffered from migraines for 33 yrs. my first migraines was at the age of 13, full blown vision went and sick to my stomach. The older I get the worse they are.
I’ve suffered from migraines since I was very young too. Probably 50 yrs now. While I take meds frequently, I can now manage them if I take them at the very first sign. But this only happened when ai dropped gluten from the diet. I just thought I’d pass that along, in case helpful. I’m not celiacs and resisted for a long time thinking it would be hard, but it wasn’t as hard as I thought.
Prior to getting them under control (or still if I wake up in the throws), I used children’s gravel suppositories. They helped settle my nausea, allowed me to keep a migraine pill down, and also helped me sleep through the worst of it. Not sure if this helps you at all but thought I’d pass along. Best wishes on getting healthy.
Please consider me for trials. Lifetime migraine sufferers
I would also like to be considered for trials. I also am a migraine sufferer. I have a headache in one severity or another everyday
why aren’t migraine medicine covered under the drug plan for retired seniors.
I get 14 to 16 migraine headaches a month and have to pay for them out of my pocket, I’m retired and a lot of time i can’t afford the cost of the pills.
Your doctor
can apply.for a proocess called eap. Its the exceptional access program that the government ontario drug benefit program will look at on a case by case process. Thats assuming your in ontario. We have
been approved had this approved it takes about six to eight weeks. Other provinces may have a similar process.
I am a chronic migraineur (42 years) compounded by 2 concussions from MVA’s … sadly I cannot take any of the triptans due to severe side effects, and was taken off the daily preventatives due to other issues. How much is this med please? Also, EAP and Trillium both refused to pay for the new CGRP injections (Amovig) … I am so frustrated!
I’m now 62 & have been experiencing migraines 15-21 times per month.. my first was at the age of 11!
I’ve tried every medication known to man and was hospitalized for many of them …
I also have tried Botex injections but to no avail 🙁
Pleaseeee consider me for any clinical trials coming to Canada .
I am currently on disability and migraines were one of the two causes of my disability!
Sincerely
Hi Karen,
I just saw your message regarding your migraines and being on disability due to them. I am also in Canada and have often wondered how I would go about doing something like this, as I am suffering pretty much on a daily basis with migraines and have had them since I was a child.
Any insight you would have would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks 🙂
I would also love to be considered for your trials. I cam currently receiving Nerve blocks every 3 months as my insurance provider won’t cover anything, even the Frova I take. I have chronic migraines, not a day goes by without one.
I am a 73 year old female. I have suffered with migraine since I was an infant. I have a migraine every 12 hours, every day of the week, month, year. It is a very rare occasion if I don’t have to take my medication (Imitrex). I am so dependent on my medication that I would be afraid to try something else without having the Imitrex on hand. When I specialists they tell me that I shouldn’t be taking that much Imitrex (50 mg every 12 twelve hours) but nothing else has helped with my debilitating migraines which got worse when I got through menopause. I need help.
Unfortunately you may have what they call rebound headaches. Especially if they are like clockwork. I got them dealing with chronic cluster headaches which there is even less info or medications for. Rebound headaches are caused by taking to much pain medications for headaches. It sucks but the only way to get away from them is to go medication free for 6 weeks.
It was hell but I did it. Still get the cluster headaches almost everyday but it also showed me that the medications was not doing anything either. It’s all trial and error with the doctors.
How do I get on the testing list I’d be more then happy to see if it works…
Thanks
Chantal
Would also love to be on any trials in Canada. Chronic sufferer.
I would be willing to participate in in a trial from chronic migraine treatment. I have suffered from chronic headaches/migraines since childhood for the past 55 years
I really need to be on the trial list when it comes to Canada as I have been a chronic Migrane sufferer for the past 52 years.
I suffer from migraines and have try many drugs with so many side effects that has caused problems with my health . I use zomig 5mg nasal spray to try to function in life but often exceed the monthly dose .would love to be in one of your trail groups
I have been on Amovig for a year and now seems to not work. Like many I have tried everything.
Waiting for Nurtec to arrive in Canada. I will be happy to join trial tests.
Has there been any update on Nurtec in Canada?
I am in my mix sixties and have had migraines since my early 20’s, but for the past several years have also been suffering with daily migraines. I have tried every prophylaxis category drug on the list including Botox injections and the Cefaly anti-migraine device. was taking rixatriptan almost every day, and then started Aimovig which reduced the intensity of the migraine so that a daily Tylenol with caffeine would take away the headache, and only had to take the triptan 5 or 6 times a month. Now that there is no longer the aimovig go program and I have been off of it for 3 months, the daily migraines have returned and the rizatriptan is no longer effective. I know Alta seniors blue cross will probably never cover Aimovig or Emgality, so I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. I live near Calgary and would love to be included in any new drug study
I have been diagnosed with Cluster Headaches since 2014. It’s been 6 years of the most agonizing pain. I’ve contemplated suicide and have come close to knocking myself unconscious from the severe pain. I don’t wish this on anyone. If there’s anything out there that has the slightest hope of stopping these attacks when they arise I would gladly give everything I own in this world to try it. Please consider me for this.
I am so sorry to read this, must be so difficult. I do not struggle with these. I understand oxygen may help. I am sure you have tried everything but I was told by someone in the ER if you have a cluster headache, go to the ER and ask for oxygen.
Also, on Emgality’s website it says it has been approved for cluster headache. The cost is out of the world but maybe your doctor can get physician’s samples for you to try. Mine was successful in obtaining some Emgality for me to try for migraine, as the manufacturer no longer has a patient support program. https://www.emgality.com/cluster
Here is a link for info on oxygen therapy for cluster. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/abk7653
I wonder about even trying to get this set up at home?
Mine started in my 20’s,when pregnant and continued in various degrees of frequency and intensity (usually 3-4 days before my period) They got worse as I entered peri-menopause and now finally @ 64 and full menopause they are chronic and 70% of the time very intense – main triggers- were hormones; now weather changes. It’s rare that I don’t have one and am disabled, lost my business (so I’m broke) my husband went to live with his kids so they could care for him better. So I’m alone. He once told me “I just can’t stand the constant crying” Btw, successful business for more than a decade (to get my husband out of debt!!!)… You gotta love life lol. I’ve tried EVERY SINGLE THING: a life long mission. A few years ago when they became so unbearable and doctors couldn’t cure me and friends grew impatient – their assumption…she’s probably a drug seeker (no, I’m just not that into suffering endlessly seeker) so beaten down by living a lifetime in the world of migraine. I made unsuccessful attempts at ending it; found out it’s not so easy. I’d try ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING Please please please let me know if, when and how I can get this Nurtec to try. PLEASE. Thankyou!
Katie, a great grandma who hasn’t even met her new precious grand baby, she’ll be be 1 in December.
So sad to be in a club no-one wants to be in. I suffer from Hemicrania Continua for decades, a great name for a daily headache that never goes away. After several years of meticulous recording of a food dairy, I’ve found I have a sensitivity to sulphites/sulfites and nitrates in food – which are food preservatives and practically in everything. If I avoid sulphites / nitrates, nighshades, I can take the level of intensity down, but as mentioned they are in many, many foods. Sulphites are even mentioned as a priority one allergen on Canada.ca. No neurologist will tell you your condition is food related unless YOU tell them, but if you haven’t figured it out on your own, no one will do it for you. Not suggesting your situation is the same as mine, but desperate people will try anything. I still have to take Imitrex and Indomethicin at least not as much as before. Sending this out in the hope it will help someone else.
Also Aspartame for me.
I have had migraines for 60 years, tried everything, I am now on Zomig,
It has given me my life back, I’m so grateful for it
I don’t see Zomig listed here
Any other info on it?
I have suffered from chronic daily migraines as well as classic migraines for over 30 years. I have been on a number of prophylactic medications over the years and currently take topamax as well as nadalol daily. I was on Aimovig for almost a year until the GO program ended. I am in the midst of getting drug benefits and then require special authorization to see if the drug will be covered. I did find it quite helpful while i was on it. Unfortunately my migraines have come back as bad as ever since stopping the Aimovig. I would love to participate in any drug trials in Canada for migraine prophylaxis. I am at my wits end. My migraines caused me to lose my job due to my sick time. I would give anything to not feel horrible all the time. Migraine medications seem to be soooo costly. I feel so bad for anyone who suffers as i do with no way to afford the drugs that could improve their life dramatically.
I too have had migraines for 50+ years; and have tried amost all the preventatives from Nortriptyline to Botox to sibellium and CGRP. I was on aimovig for 18 months before my neurologist weaned me off of it. While on Aimovig the intensity and frequency of migraines subsided by now I am as dependent on Zomig as I ever was. Back to square one!
My two adult daughters both suffer terribly with chronic migraines since the age of 17. One is 32 and the other is 24. Along with it, they suffer with insomnia, severe anxiety, depression and both live at home with my husband and I. They cannot function. The oldest has tried acupuncture, botox, massage, chiropractor, neurologist and nothing helps. She lives the majority of her life in her room. The other daughter suffers pretty well the exact same. We have been working diligently to help her with depression and we’re seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. But, she continues to suffer with migraines probably on 5 days off 2 days on average with much vomiting etc. I would love for them to try these meds so that they could “start” having a life. The barometer is one of the biggest culprits for their migraines, but….lights, smells, noises, stress…..just about anything can set them off spinning if they aren’t already. 🙁 Would love to have my girls find some relief and “start” enjoying life. Thanks for your time.
This must be so incredibly hard to watch. I still remember the first time holding my daughter during a migraine & feeling so bad that I had passed something on to them. I’m not suppure what they have tried but going off gluten helped immensely. It took about 9 months but one day I woke up & realized I didn’t have a headache. Was mind blowing. I still get migraines but can take zomig at first sign & it generally is managed. I also am on a mild anti-depressant and that has helped with migraines that used to come up my shoulder. Finally – if nausea is still a big issue, get some children’s (or adult) gravel suppositories. If I wake up in the throws of a migraine, it helps me keeps some meds down (or settle tummy so I can take meds) & also let’s me sleep through the worst of the pounding. I also keep children’s chewable gravel with me at all times. But the suppositories work better for severe nausea.
I hope you can find some relief for your girls – whether it be through some of these new meds or other.
Hello everyone, I want to share with you what has helped me. Two years ago I was getting 3 – 4 migraines (or sinus migraines) a week and sometimes milder headache on other days, causing me to be bedridden. I started the GAPS diet and when it didn’t work initially I took natural anti microbials, Dysbiocide and you’d have to google the second and took 2 treatments of these to first kill my SIBO and then went back on the diet and now I am down to 1 or 2 migraines a month! I have my life back. I also purchased a 50.00 TENS machine which I use every day for 20 – 40 minutes and that made things even better. The diet is probably a lifelong commitment but to me it is 100% worth it. Best of luck to all of you. ❤️❤️
I would participate in any migraine drug trials in Canada. I’ve had hormonal migraines since my thirties that have become much more prevalent in peri menopause. It’s very debilitating.
Do any of you have vestibular migraines? Anyone know if these drugs work on vestibular migraines?