frovatriptan

Class




  • Triptan




Frovatriptan


Commonly Prescribed for


(FDA approved in bold)



  • Migraine
  • Menstrual migraine



Frovatriptan


How the Drug Works



  • Selective 5-HT1 receptor agonist, working predominantly at the B and D receptor subtypes. Effectiveness may be due to blocking the transmission of pain signals from the trigeminal nerve to the trigeminal nucleus caudalis and preventing release of inflammatory neuropeptides rather than just causing vasoconstriction



Frovatriptan


How Long Until It Works



  • 2 hours or less



Frovatriptan


If It Works



  • Continue to take as needed. Patients taking acute treatment more than 2 days/week are at risk for medication-overuse headache, especially if they have migraine



Frovatriptan


If It Doesn’t Work



  • Treat early in the attack – triptans are less likely to work after the development of cutaneous allodynia, a marker of central sensitization
  • For patients with partial response or reoccurrence, add an NSAID
  • Change to another agent



Frovatriptan


Best Augmenting Combos for Partial Response or Treatment-Resistance



  • NSAIDs or neuroleptics are often used to augment response



Frovatriptan


Tests



  • None required



Adverse Effects (AEs)




Frovatriptan


How Drug Causes AEs



  • Direct effect on serotonin receptors



Frovatriptan


Notable AEs



  • Tingling, flushing, dizziness, palpitations, muscle pain, sensation of burning, vertigo, sensation of pressure, nausea



Frovatriptan


Life-Threatening or Dangerous AEs



  • Rare cardiac events including acute MI, cardiac arrhythmias, and coronary artery vasospasm have been reported with frovatriptan



Frovatriptan


Weight Gain



  • Unusual



Frovatriptan


Sedation



  • Unusual



Frovatriptan


What to Do About AEs



  • In most cases, only reassurance is needed. Lower dose, change to another triptan or use an alternative headache treatment



Frovatriptan


Best Augmenting Agents for AEs

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Feb 16, 2017 | Posted by in PHARMACY | Comments Off on frovatriptan

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