Migraines are moderate to severe headaches that can come in conjunction with other debilitating symptoms making them all the more difficult to deal with. There is currently no cure for migraines and while research is being done to discover the causes and treatments for such, many sufferers remain in pain. Moreover, migraines are more common than one may think. It is estimated that nearly 12% of the world population suffers from migraines, yet there are hundreds of thousands of which that go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years.
Though there is currently no cure for migraines or other debilitating headaches, there is ongoing innovation in the field, particularly with regard to preventative and onset care. In fact, a new preventative treatment called Eptinezumab (also known as Vyepti) was recently approved by the FDA.
What is Eptinezumab (Vyepti)?
Eptinezumab is a preventative migraine treatment for adults. Since Eptinezumab is only a preventative treatment, it cannot be used to treat attacks as they occur. The treatment is administered only four times a year, every three months, via intravenous infusion. Eptinezumab is characterized as a biologic medication since it utilizes an antibody, or an ingredient made from parts of living cells. The treatment is given as an infusion instead of a pill because it needs to bypass your GI system: antibodies like eptinezumab are broken down and neutralized by your GI system.
How Does It Work?
Eptinezumab is further classified with a group of medications referred to as calcitonin gene-related peptide blockers. This means Eptinezumab binds to the calcitonin gene-related peptides (CGRPs) and prevents it from activating its pain target. This is likely to reduce migraine pain because this pain target, the CGRP receptor, plays an important role in the pain we all associate with migraines.
Eptinezumab does come with some side effects, the most common of which are cold-like symptoms. Other possible side effects include allergic reaction and nausea. As is the case with any new drug or treatment program, it is important to consult with your physician first and determine what is right for you.
Though Eptinezumab is not right for everyone, it has seen success with a many of its users. It is recommended for sufferers who experience four or more migraine days per month, and reports thus far have indicated a significant reduction in the number of migraine days experienced on average by users.
Eptinezumab is an option for sufferers since that is administrated relatively infrequently, is quick, and has proven results. The Will Erwin Headache Research Foundation is dedicated to finding a cure for debilitating headaches, as well as keeping sufferers and their support communities informed and aware of all ongoing innovations in the field. If you want to contribute to furthering headache research and helping find a cure, consider donating today.