Trexima (and the problem with a double-drug)

You might have heard about Pozen’s migraine product, Trexima, which is currently under review in the USA.  I know I’ve heard about it – a lot about it.  I’ve written about Trexima before, more than once.

Trexima is a combination drug.  Its key ingredients are sumatriptan succinate (otherwise known as Imitrex) and naproxen sodium.  Both of these have been a lot of help to migraine patients.  But the amazing combo seems to do the job better than either of these individual drugs.  And Trexima is more than just a combo.  It uses RT Technology, which is supposed to get it into your system faster, a key aspect for migraineurs.  Read more on Trexima here.

But there are problems with the two-drug approach.  Headache specialist Dr Christina Peterson asks,"Do you need a naproxen dose every time you need a triptan dose?"  Of course, the answer is most often no, and that raises a lot of questions.  There are mild questions like, am I spending more than I need to?  But there are more serious questions as well.

For example, will your doctor actually prescribe Trexima and another drug, such as Imitrex, in the same month?  Would your insurance cover that?

But the worst questions have to do with simply taking more drugs than you need to, which could lead to rebound headache, actually making your symptoms worse.

This is a great discussion, and it brings up issues related not just to Trexima but many other drugs.  And there are likely to be more drugs like Trexima showing up at the drugstore in the years ahead.  Thanks to The Daily Headache for writing on this issue and continuing an important conversation.  I recommend you read the post on Trexima and rebound there as well.

In the USA, the FDA review may come to a conclusion in August, meaning Trexima still may be available later this year.