Abstract
Sumatriptan subcutaneous administration is the fastest and most effective of the triptans for relief of acute migraine headache. This occurs even when the patient has already developed symptoms related to central sensitization, a key parameter in determining the effectiveness of these agents. In patients whose migraine attacks have historically failed to respond to oral triptans, this route of administration has also proven to be more consistent and effective. Until recently this method of drug delivery was dependent upon a needle for administration. A new method of delivery for this agent, Sumavel® DosePro™, eliminates the needle and disposal issues coupled with an improved ease of use of drug delivery and acceptable tolerability for patients in clinical trials.
Acknowledgement
Specific graphs and photographs were utilized with the written consent of Anthony Fox, from a presentation at the Diamond Headache Clinic Research and Education Foundation meeting, Scottsdale, AZ, USA, February 2010.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
Frederick Freitag is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Headache Foundation. He has carried out research for GlaxoSmithKline, MAPP Pharmaceuticals, Merck Pharmaceuticals and Zogenix Pharmaceuticals. He has been a consultant to MAPP Pharmaceuticals and ZogeniX Pharmaceuticals. He has recieved speaking honoraria from GlaxoSmithKline, Merck Pharmaceuticals and Zogenix Pharmaceuticals. The author has no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.