Treximet - A New Migraine Medication

On May 16, Glaxo-Smith-Kline Pharmaceuticals, the makers of Imitrex, announced that they were releasing a new drug for the treatment of migraines. The new drug was to be called Treximet and according to the makers, was to be a vast improvement over Imitrex. Like Imitrex, it is made to be taken at the onset of a migraine, but is supposed to work faster and better to reduce migraine pain. GSK has spent several years and millions of dollars researching and "pre-marketing" Treximet in anticipation of FDA approval and product launch.

So what's the deal? Is this really better than Imitrex alone? From a strict treatment point of view, yes, the medication probably is better than Imitrex alone for a migraine. The reason for this is twofold. First of all, several years ago, Dr. Silberstein of the Jefferson Headache Center was able to demonstrate through research, that Imitrex combined with naprosyn taken at the onset of a migraine was better in treating that migraine than either drug alone. Such a combination is deemed synergistic, meaning basically that two plus two equals ten. Naprosyn is the prescription form of Aleve which is sold over the counter and is an anti-inflammatory. Once this research was confirmed, GSK began to develop a combination drug.

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The second reason this drug might be better is something called RT technology. GSK has developed this and uses it currently for its Imitrex tablets. Think of it as "burst" technology as the tablet does burst apart when it begins to dissolve. This may speed absorption, and speed is of the essence when treating a bad migraine.

All treatment benefits aside, is Treximet really a great deal? Well for some, maybe not. One of the reasons a combination drug is usually developed is because the patent on the original drug is about to expire. And sure enough, that is what is happening to Imitrex this year. Unfortunately, samples of Imitrex are rapidly disappearing from doctor's offices. For those who have prescription coverage, the best answer is to ask for a prescription for naprosyn and take both pills at the onset of a migraine. Failing that you could just take two Aleve tablets with your Imitrex.

For those with no prescription coverage, hang in there! Two pharmaceutical companies who make generic drugs have announced that they will be manufacturing sumatriptan (generic Imitrex) by the end of 2008. Once that is available, it will open up the availability of the drug for millions of migraineurs who previously could not afford the drug. Even with no prescription coverage, the generic may be cheap enough to afford by paying cash. The downside to generics is, different fillers which are cheaper are used in manufacture. GSK still holds the patent on RT technology so it most probably will not be available in the generic sumatriptan.

As will all medications in the class of triptans, you cannot take these medications if you are pregnant, have uncontrolled hypertension or heart problems such as coronary artery disease. Check with your provider to be sure before taking any new medication and remember, treat early and treat fast to get rid of migraines.

Treximet - A New Migraine Medication

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Ways of Treating Visual Migraine

Visual migraine is a type of migraine known also as ocular migraine and ophthalmic migraine. Similar to the common migraine, its cause is vascular; that is, it involves the blood vessels. Whereas the typical migraine affects the arteries located in the surface of the brain, it affects the veins that supply blood to the vision center.

During a visual migraine episode, the sufferer experiences visual disturbances that typically last for fifteen to thirty minutes. It usually starts as a shimmering light with a semi-circular shape and jagged edges, seen in the peripheral vision and later expands to become more central. The ability to see is obscured within the jagged area. A headache may accompany the disturbance but does not occur in all cases. The more common symptoms that come with this are nausea and vomiting and a heightened sensitivity to light. Although the root cause of this particular migraine is not known, some of its common triggers are identified as fatigue, depression, dehydration, eyestrain, stress, alcohol, certain foods, and a shift in estrogen levels.

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Diagnosing visual migraine may require visits to the ophthalmologist and neurologist. This is to make sure that the visual disturbances are not caused by an underlying eye condition such as a detached retina or a blood clot in the brain. Once this has been established, then proper treatment can be provided.

Certainly, this is not fatal nor does it cause any damage to the brain or eyes. And since no pain comes with it, treatment is usually unnecessary unless a headache arises during an episode. However, if the attacks are frequent, medications may have to be administered. If the visual migraine occurs with a headache, over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen and naproxen can be taken to relieve the pain. In addition, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and aspirin are known to prevent these migraine attacks because they help keep the arteries in their normal size. Medications should be taken as soon as the first sign of the aura is felt. During the attack, the vision may be so hampered that doing other activities could be impossible. In these times, the patient should relax and wait for the said migraine to end. Bright lights and sounds should be avoided because they could potentially worsen the symptoms.

Having a visual migraine attack, though most of the times painless, can be frightening, especially for those who experience it for the first time. If anyone encounters any of the symptoms associated with this type of migraine, he should consult his physician immediately. This migraine, by itself, usually requires no treatment but the symptoms could be signs of a more serious condition. Knowing about a disease and how to deal with it is the best treatment of all.

Ways of Treating Visual Migraine

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Could A Migraine Headache Be Linked To A Change In Seasons?

A migraine headache is one of the worst headaches a person can experience. They are debilitating as they do not just provide pain but is usually accompanied by sensitivity to light, sound and cause nausea. Most sufferers have to lie down in a darkened bedroom, with a wet cloth over their eyes until the migraine finally goes away. A migraine headache may last from hours to days.

The cause of the migraine headache is unknown, which is exceedingly frustrating. Also, not everyone will experience a migraine in the same way. Not even the same person will have a migraine headache the same way! My migraines occur in the Spring and Fall when the seasons change. Doctors do not know if the trigger is pollen, change of the amount of sunlight per day or change in stress level.

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Thankfully I only get one migraine each season but the migraine headache is not the same each time. Some migraines are very bad and feel like someone is drilling all over my skull at once. Other times my head just feels like it is stuck in a vise. Sometimes I'll get an aura before the migraine headache starts. That at least gives me a warning so that I can get home and stop driving before it hits.

The migraine headache aura is something peculiar to the migraine headache. It is a visual disturbance that migraine sufferers will experience before the headache begins and may also occur during the rest of the headache.

I have experienced two types of aura with my migraines over the years. The aura will either be a large arch of vibrating red and blue small triangles that gradually appear and block out my vision in one eye, or it will be a hole of no vision over one eye. My left eye seems to be the one usually affected by the auras. As you can see, it is impossible to function normally with an aura that precursors a migraine headache.

After the migraine headache is over I am completely exhausted and feel ill. For those that have never had the misfortune to experience a migraine headache, it is very hard to explain the pain and recovery symptoms. It is like needing to recover from physical torture. Your body needs to recover and so does your mental state. I am lucky in that I only have a few migraine headaches a year. I really do not know how people can even live when they have several migraines a week!

Could A Migraine Headache Be Linked To A Change In Seasons?

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