A Pfizer announced this Friday, 10, that the United States authorized a new treatment against migrainewith the particularity of being a nasal spray.
Marketed under the name of Defythe treatment received authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA, equivalent to Anvisa in the USA), for the treatment of severe migraine in adults.
In a large clinical trial published last month by the scientific journal Lancet Neurologythe medicine showed positive effects for pain relief, superior to those of a placebo, sometimes in a short period of time – about 15 minutes after applying a dose.
Quoted in a Pfizer press release, Kathleen Mullin of the New England Institute of Neurology and Headaches said, “One of the most important characteristics of a serious treatment option is how quickly it works.”
“As a rapidly absorbing nasal spray, Zavzpret offers an alternative treatment option for those who need relief and cannot take oral medication due to nausea or vomiting,” he added.
Migraines can have a significant effect on routine and headaches are often accompanied by visual disturbances or light intolerance.
Pfizer said the treatment will be available in July 2023 in US pharmacies.
How migraine spray works
Zavzpret begins to relieve migraine symptoms in as little as 30 minutes and provides relief for up to 48 hours after the last dose, according to Pfizer. A 10 mg dose of the drug proved to be more effective than a placebo in relieving pain and other migraine symptoms, according to a study published in The Lancet.
What is Migraine?
Migraines are moderate or severe headaches that can cause a throbbing pain, usually occurring on just one side of the head. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.
Migraine affects more than 10% of people worldwide, with those aged between 20 and 50 years most likely to suffer from the condition. Migraine is the world’s sixth leading cause of years lost to disability, i.e. the amount of time individuals suffer with a lower quality of life due to a disability, according to the World Health Organization.
(With information from AFP)
