Ubrogepant, Drug Against Migraine, May Prevent Headaches Before They Even Start

A clinical trial published in the medical journal Neurology on August 28, 2024, revealed that the drug ubrogepant (Ubrelvy) could effectively prevent migraine symptoms, enabling sufferers to carry on with their daily activities largely uninterrupted. When taken at the first signs of an impending migraine, such as sensitivity to light or sound, fatigue, neck pain, or dizziness, ubrogepant significantly improved patients' ability to manage their daily lives with minimal or no limitation. This is prepared by SSP.

A calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist (CGRP inhibitor), ubrogepant works by blocking a small protein crucial to the migraine process. This clinical trial, funded by AbbVie, the drug's manufacturer, included 518 participants who had been experiencing two to eight migraine attacks monthly and who could reliably identify pre-migraine symptoms.

In the study, participants were divided into two groups. One group received a placebo initially, followed by a 100-milligram dose of ubrogepant for their second migraine onset. The other group received the drug first, then the placebo. Participants rated the impact on their activity levels on a scale from zero ("not at all limited -- I could do everything") to four ("extremely limited"). After 24 hours, 65% of those who took ubrogepant reported being "not at all limited -- I could do everything" or "a little limited," compared to 48% of those who took the placebo.

Dr. Richard B. Lipton, a co-author of the study and vice chair of the neurology department at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, New York, emphasized the importance of treating migraines at the onset of early warning signs. Lipton noted that those taking ubrogepant were 73% more likely to report "no disability, able to function normally" within two hours compared to those taking the placebo.

"Improving care at the first signs of migraine, even before headache pain begins, can be a key to improved outcomes. Our findings are encouraging, suggesting that ubrogepant may help people with migraine function normally and go about their day," Lipton stated.

The study concluded that ubrogepant's efficacy in reducing migraine symptoms before the onset of full-blown pain could significantly enhance the quality of life for migraine sufferers, allowing them to maintain productivity and daily routines. However, Lipton also noted that the study relied on electronic diaries for participants to record symptoms and medication usage, which could introduce a margin of error in data accuracy.

This promising study underscores the potential of targeting early migraine symptoms in the treatment protocol, highlighting ubrogepant as a valuable option for those experiencing frequent migraines.