AbbVie

CGRP Inhibitors, as preventives, have a lot of advantages. Sure, they may be injections, but they’re not taken every day like most preventatives for migraine.

I mean, in the case of Ajovy, you’re looking at an injection every three months.

But I know, some of you are saying – seriously, I don’t care how often it is. I don’t do injections!

You might want to keep an eye on a new preventative that may come out in 2021 – atogepant.

Now if you remember our discussion of different types of “CGRP drugs”, you’ll recall that the “gepant” drugs are generally being marketed for acute treatment – to take once a migraine attack has already started. But this one, taken orally, is being tested for prevention.

Part of the phase 2 trial was published online in August. 825 patients received atogepant, but they were divided up to receive varying doses – 10, 30 or 60mg once or twice a day. 5% or less experienced nausea or fatigue with certain doses – that number may be lessened significantly once we figure out which dose is best. But overall, there were no serious side effects, and over 12 weeks the patients saw a significant decrease in their days with migraine symptoms.

Phase 3 results are already being reported as well, and results look similar. Patients got back several days each month – several more migraine-free days. A slightly better result seems to come with the higher dosages.

Although this will be a once or twice a day dose, it’s oral – no injections! So keep your eye on this one.

For more on the study, see Safety, tolerability, and efficacy of orally administered atogepant for the prevention of episodic migraine in adults: a double-blind, randomised phase 2b/3 trial. For more history, check out Allergan: atogepant. (Note that Allergan is now owned by AbbVie, so don’t get confused.)