Migraine is an intense headache that is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea or vomiting, intolerance to light, noise, or even smells, and which can be disabling for those affected, interfering with their daily activities. Currently, more than five million people – 80% women – suffer from this type of headache in Spain, according to data from the Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN), which also indicates that it is considered the third most common disease and the second cause of disability worldwide.
The available treatments are not always effective in all patients and the ideal would be to prevent the appearance of episodes. Now, finally, there is good news for all affected people because Pfizer has announced that rimegepant (Vydura), the only oral medication indicated for the prevention and treatment of migraine attacks in adults, is now available in Spain.
Rimegepant received marketing approval from the European Commission in April 2022, and is authorized for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults and for the treatment of episodic migraine in patients who experience at least four seizures. migraine per month. It is available in the form of oral lyophilisate. Vydura is a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist and works by inhibiting pain signaling, vasodilation without active vasoconstriction, and neurogenic inflammation.
Pfizer has reported that this drug reduces pain during the first two hours after administration, and provides sustained relief for up to 48 hours without the need for rescue medication. In addition, it has an effect on the reduction of migraine days per month, specifically 6.2 days of global average reduction compared to the beginning in the number of migraine days per month, according to the results of a clinical trial published in The Lancet.
How much will Vydura cost and who will it be funded for?
The drug Vydura is funded for the preventive treatment of patients who experience between 8 and 14 days of moderate to severe migraine per month and three or more failures of previous treatments used at sufficient doses for at least three months. The new drug is administered in hospitals, but can also be prescribed by the general practitioner.
Vydura comes in a 75 milligram format and in boxes of eight oral freeze-dried tablets, which means that it dissolves quickly in the mouth, making it easier to absorb. It is essential that the drug has been prescribed by the doctor. In addition to a medical prescription, to purchase this medication you must go to hospital pharmacies. The price of Vydura established by the Interministerial Price Commission is more than 232 euros per box of eight tablets.
Vydura reduces migraine pain during the first two hours after administration, and provides sustained relief for up to 48 hours without the need for rescue medication
“Migraine is a very widespread disease in our society, which has a high impact on the lives of all those who suffer from it, but the figures show that there is a high percentage of patients who have not seen their needs met in terms of treatment and treatment, or who have chosen to stop treatment due to the lack of results,” says José Chaves, medical director of Pfizer Spain.
“As a company, we are proud that from now on all these patients will have an innovative treatment option that, without a doubt, will contribute to improving their quality of life so that they can look for a possible way out of this labyrinth that, sometimes, It means living with migraine,” he concludes.
