Frovatriptan: clinical review and future directions

Abstract

Triptan medications are selective serotonin receptor (5-HT1B/D) agonists approved for the treatment of acute migraine attacks. Among the currently available triptans, frovatriptan is unique with a long half-life (~26 h), metabolism by multiple pathways and a low side-effect profile. Clinical trial data demonstrates efficacy for frovatriptan across multiple doses, with the 2.5 mg dose selected for lower side effects. Frovatriptan is approved for use in the conventional treatment of an ongoing migraine attack, as are the other currently available triptan medications. The long half-life of frovatriptan has led to the initiation of studies of frovatriptan for the short-term prevention of menstrually related migraine attacks, during which patients are often difficult to treat. This newly investigated treatment approach for patients with predictable menstrually related migraine may, in the future, lead to treatment paradigms that benefit those patients with migraine attacks that are difficult to manage.