OptiNose: In Search of a Better Nasal Spray

OptiNose is a new nasal drug delivery device aimed to get the drug into your system in a more efficient manner.

It’s pretty irritating to spend your money on a drug, and find that it doesn’t work – and the only reason may be that it’s not getting into your system fast enough, or not all of it is getting to the right part of your body.  There can be a number of reasons for this, but one reason has to do with the way the drug is delivered.

The OptiNose company was founded in 2000 by Dr. Med. PG Djupesland to find a better nasal spray.  Currently they’re testing two therapies – and one is for migraine.

Sumatriptan is the first migraine drug to be tested (brand names Imitrex, Imigran).  At the end of Phase II trials, it’s looking positive.

It works like this: the small plastic device has a tube that goes to the nose, like any nasal spray.  But another spout goes to your mouth.  You blow into the spout, and two things happen.  First, your own breath powers the unit.  Second, blowing closes the airway to the lungs and throat, meaning that the medicine is more effectively spread through the nasal cavity where it belongs.  As a side bonus, there’s less of the bitter taste that tends to go with other nasal sprays.

I would like to see more trials comparing OptiNose to other types of sumatriptan delivery.  However, trials against a placebo were very positive – there’s no doubt that the product "works" and will be a positive addition to the drug arsenal to fight migraine.

Thanks for the heads up at Somebody Heal Me.