Vyepti to fight Migraine – How is it different (and what’s with the name?!)?

In February, Vyepti was approved in the USA as a new migraine preventative. An application has been submitted for approval in Canada, and the European Union will be next later this year.

Vyepti (eptinezumab-jjmr) is yet another “anti-CGRP” medication, so it’s important to understand what is unique about it. Of course, as with any class of medications, one may work well for you even when another similar drug does not. And Vyepti does have a specific biological mechanism that is different than the other anti-CGRP drugs.

However, there’s more to it when it comes to Vyepti.

The key difference with Vyepti is the way you take it, and how often. As you may know, other medications in this class that have been approved are given by injection on a monthly basis (Aimovig, Emgality, and Ajovy). Now Ajovy is an exception, in a way, because it can also be taken quarterly (although it may be slightly more effective if taken monthly).

Vyepti, however, is specifically to be taken quarterly (every three months). It’s attractive for many patients that they only need to take a preventative only four times a year – especially those of us who have endured the two-or-three-times-a-day routine for some medications.

Vyepti is unique in that it is given as intravenous (IV). The usual recommended dose is 100mg (although some patients may need 300mg). This amount is diluted, and given via IV over 30 minutes.

This may sound more extreme than an injection, but many patients might prefer an IV given by a doctor to having to do their own injections.

A positive for this drug is that there seem to be few side effects. The most common ones (which weren’t all that common) occurred actually during the IV. A “stuffy nose” was probably the most common issue.

You may wonder, if this drug is taken so occasionally, how long it takes to start working. The good news is that it seems to start working on “day 1”. Clinical trials have shown that Vyepti reduces the number of migraine days per month, even for those with chronic migraine.

To read more, you can visit the official Vyepti site here. Also check out this helpful article: Breaking News: Eptinezumab-jjmr (VYEPTI™) Approved by FDA.

But in closing we have to ask, what’s with the name?? On the Vyepti website, the authors insist on capitalizing the word (VYEPTI – does that stand for something?), although on other sites the writers resist shouting at their readers. And the official logo is all lowercase.

To some, Vyepti may sound like a mysterious furry creature that roams the mountains.

How drugs get their names is a fascinating study. And I would love to hear more about how VYEPTI got its name. Do you know?