Migraine attack therapy: from new efficacy criteria to novel therapeutic formulations

Abstract

Abstract

Migraines represent one of the most prevalent and debilitating neurological disorders. In terms of quality-of-life impairment and the degree of disability incurred, severe migraine attacks align with the World Health Organization (WHO) level 7 disability, comparable to conditions such as tetraparesis, psychosis, and dementia. The severity of migraine attacks is influenced not only by the intensity of the headache but also by the severity of accompanying non-pain symptoms, which include nausea, vomiting, photophobia, phonophobia, dizziness, and cognitive impairment, as well as the frequency of recurrence. The presence of nausea or vomiting during a migraine attack is indicative of migraine-associated gastroparesis, which adversely affects the bioavailability and efficacy of oral medications. Consequently, these factors contribute to the limited effectiveness of standard tablet formulations in aborting migraine attacks. This article explores contemporary approaches to treating migraine attacks and new criteria for assessing therapeutic efficacy. Particular emphasis is placed on the effectiveness of orally disintegrating tablets (ODT) of rizatriptan compared with sumatriptan and zolmitriptan. Optimal management of a migraine attack necessitates an individualized approach that considers the severity of the condition, the spectrum of clinical manifestations, and the selection of an appropriate pharmaceutical formulation. Strong evidence supports the assertion that rizatriptan 10 mg ODT (Kaporiza) is one of the most rapid, effective, and convenient options for the abortive treatment of migraine attacks in the majority of patients.