THOUSANDS of migraine sufferers will benefit from a new drug being available on the NHS.
Rimegepant — also called Vydura — is the first drug to be recommended for treating acute migraines by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
GettyThousands of migraine sufferers will benefit from a new drug being available on the NHS[/caption]
Charities hailed the decision, saying the drug “brings new hope” to around 13,000 Brits with the debilitating condition.
Helen Knight, of NICE, said: “This is the first and only NICE-recommended medicine that can help alleviate the misery of acute migraines.
“Migraine is an invisible disability that affects all aspects of life including work, education, finances, mental health, social activities, and family.
“Today’s final draft guidance addresses the high unmet need for treatment options for acute migraine.”
Around 6.1million Brits suffer agonising migraines, with 190,000 attacks thought to occur every day in England.
Up to a quarter of women may suffer the condition, while it occurs in 2 to 10 per cent of men.
Symptoms include pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and visual disturbances known as “aura”.
Under the new guidance from NICE, rimegepant will be available to adults who have tried at least two triptans but found they did not work well enough.
It can also be given to those who are not able to take triptans — medication usually given to tackle headaches or migraines — or have an intolerance, or patients who have tried nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and paracetamol.
In July, the medicine was recommended as an option for preventing episodic migraine in adults who have at least four and fewer than 15 attacks per month if “at least” three other treatments have not worked.
Robert Music, of the Migraine Trust, said: “This decision provides people with migraine valuable options to help reduce the pain and length of a migraine attack.
“It will especially benefit those who have not found a treatment that works, those who get debilitating side effects – including medicine overuse headache – from them, and those with cardiovascular disease who cannot take existing treatments.
“Migraine is an incredibly misunderstood condition that can have a significant impact on all areas of life, including ability to work, maintain relationships and mental health.”