Good News: April 15, 2008 GlaxoSmithKline has received FDA approval for a new drug treatment for acute migraine with and without aura. This “new” drug is a mixed bag. It is called Treximet and is a combination of sumatriptan (Imitrex 85 mg) and 500 mg naproxen sodium. Studies have shown that more migraine sufferers received relief within 2 hours than those who took Imitrex, naproxen sodium, or placebo alone. To view the entire press release go here.
Bad news: I was led to this press release after visiting a Fox
news story. The gentleman featured in the article, Richard Higgins, takes over the counter medication for his migraines. These medications inadequately treats his migraine. He can still feel the pain and has tunnel vision among other symptoms. The story went on to state that he knew there “were stronger class of drugs available”, but he was hesitant to take them. Richard stated, “It’s a sedative, Patients can get addicted to this medication. Patients have cognitive and thinking problems.” Now, I can only guess what medication he is referring to, but this is a telling statement because there are classes of drugs developed for migraine treatment that are neither sedatives nor addictive.
First, how many migraine sufferers are under-treated? Second, how many are misinformed about effective treatment for acute migraine. Imitrex has been on the market since 1992 and it really changed my life. But what about Richard and the others who falsely believe that migraine medication is addicting? (Caveat, he may have been referring to a class of drugs that are sedatives and are addicting, but most doctors don’t consider these medications as the treatment of choice.)
My first reaction is shame on primary care physicians who are uninformed about migraine and, therefore, are dispensing misleading information. My second reaction is shame on American culture that demands that men and women have a stiff upper lip, suck it up, and go on with life. It seems that these days pain is a non-issue. With news stories about the addictive potential of some pain relievers, some sufferers are afraid to take anything stronger than aspirin.
My next reaction is shame on the reporter who apparently is no better informed on migraine than Richard and on the editor who printed the article without correcting the error.
I guess these days I shouldn’t be shocked at what I read in the media, but I am saddened that a misinformed migraineur was used as a hook to promote a “new” drug that is made from an old drug that could have treated his pain.
I am saddened that a misinformed migraineur was used as a hook to promote a “new” drug that is made from an old drug that could have treated his pain.
This is my number one frustration with this drug. It’s not new! They never even studied having patients take naproxen (prescription strength or OTC strength) and Imitrex at the same time. It’s just another way of tweaking an existing product to continue to rake in the dough when Imitrex goes generic in 2009. So frustrating! 😦
And ITA with your other comments about the myriad of misperceptions associated with migraine and migraine drugs. I can only hope that we’re making at least a bit of an impact in helping to dispel such myths.
Diana
Diana’s right – it’s not new. I’ve been taking the “Treximet” for years.
There are problems with taking the mix of Imitrex and naproxen – the “cognitive and thinking problems” you mentioned. Same ones as with taking Imitrex alone. There’s a good reason I call it a “stupid pill”; I even wrote an article some time ago about not operating heavy machinery while on Imitrex…
This is just blatant marketing, really; since Imitrex is going generic (did you see how much the price will drop?), they need a new patented pill to charge premium. Can’t really blame them but wanna to 😛 .
Hi Debbie,
I mentioned this article in my blog Getting the Correct Information on Migraine Drug Treximet
Pam
Pink Pearl Girl’s Migraine World
http://pinkpurlgurl.blogspot.com
Well, I am the “misinformed migraineur” mentioned in the article. The main reason I do not take prescription drugs to treat the migraine is that they are too infrequent to keep the medicine on hand. Fortunately, my symptoms are not as severe as others on this board so OTC is a viable option for me at this time.
Nice to read all of your comments!
Rich Higgins