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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.