Learn More About: Migraine Treatment

Migraine Treatment

Jean M. Bidlack, PhD
David J. Hutchinson, PharmD
Jennifer L. Mathews, PhD

Learning Objectives

  • Describe goals of therapy for migraine treatment
  • List common non-pharmacologic approaches to the treatment of migraine
  • Discuss the drug treatment options and dosage forms available for migraine treatment
  • Describe the mechanism of action of each class of medication
  • Discuss medications used for migraine prophylaxis and explain their mechanisms of action

Goals of Any Therapy

  • Reduce the frequency and severity of headaches
  • Reduce headache-related disability
  • Reduce reliance on pharmacotherapy that may be poorly tolerated or unwanted
  • Promote the patient’s personal control of migraine
  • Reduce headache-related distress and physical symptoms

Non-Pharmacologic Options: Therapies and Lifestyle Modifications

Therapies Lifestyle Modifications
  • Hypnosis
  • Acupuncture
  • Exercise
  • Psychotherapy
  • Relaxation training
  • Biofeedback
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Don’t skip meals
  • Hydration
  • Limit caffeine
  • Limit food triggers
  • Limit stress
  • Exercise?
  • Sleep hygiene

Non-Pharmacologic Options: Indications and General Principles

Indications General Principles
  • Patient preference for non-pharm therapy
  • Intolerance to drug therapy
  • Medical contraindications
  • Lack of response to medication(s)
  • Pregnancy (current or planned), or breast-feeding
  • History of long-term, frequent, excessive use of medications
  • Significant stress and/or deficient coping skills
  • Geared primarily towards migraine prophylaxis
  • May be effective as monotherapy, but
  • Often used in conjunction with pharmacologic agents
    • In absence of contraindication

Cefaly®

  • TENS
    • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
  • Approved March 2014
  • Mechanism of Action: The device applies an electric current to the skin and underlying body tissues to stimulate branches of the trigeminal nerve, which has been associated with migraine headaches
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Illustration shows Cefaly device resting between the eyes along the brow line.
Cefaly

 

Pharmacologic Therapy

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Illustration shows tree-like branching options with migraine treatment at the top with prophylaxis and acute episodes underneath. Underneath prophylaxis are beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsants. Under acute episodes are nonspecific treatments, with NSAIDs and antiemetics underneath that option, and specific treatments, with triptans and dihydroergotamine under that.
Migraine treatment

Goals of Pharmacologic Therapy

Acute (Abortive) Preventive (Prophylactic)
  • Treat attack quickly
  • Find a treatment that works consistently
  • Avoid recurrence
  • Reduce frequency (#) of migraines
  • Reduce severity of migraine episodes
  • Allow patient to self-treat
  • Reduce disability, improve quality of life
  • Minimize adverse effects of therapy

Question: All migraine patients should be prescribed both acute and prophylactic treatment

Incorrect
Correct

Acute Therapy Only

  • Migraines are infrequent
  • Short in duration
  • Responsive to acute medication therapy used after onset of attack
  • Not significantly

Acute + Preventive

  • Preventive therapy:
    • Frequent disabling headaches – ≥2 times per month
    • Frequent abortive therapy use – ≥2 times per week
    • Recurring headaches that significantly disrupt daily life
  • May be used in patients who do not respond well to abortive medication(s)
    • Intolerance, lack of efficacy, comorbidities/contraindications

Acute episodes: Proactive vs. Reactive Stepped Care/Stratified Care

Stepped Care Stratified Care
  • Acetaminophen at first symptoms –45 minutes
  • Ibuprofen –45 minutes
  • Butalbital/APAP/caff –45 minutes
  • Triptan –2 hours
    • Repeat x1 if needed
  • Prevent overuse of specific therapies
  • May save money
  • Prolonged pain
  • Allows sensitization
  • Start with the drug most likely to work
  • Treat promptly
  • Repeat as appropriate if needed
  • Most efficacious approach
  • Cost/insurance limits
  • Side effects

Acute Non-specific: Analgesics and NSAIDs

  • Non-specific therapy
  • Many are available OTC
    • Relatively inexpensive
    • Combination products
    • Ex: Excedrin Migraine
         acetaminophen 250mg + Aspirin 250mg + Caffeine 65mg
  • Risk of medication overuse headache

Acetaminophen† (Tylenol®)

  • 500mg-1g ever 6 hours
  • MDD: 4g/day
  • Metabolism: hepatic
    • 85-90% glucuronidation/conjugation
    • 10-15% CYP2E1 and CYP1A2
  • Onset: 30 minutes
  • Used alone or in combination
Image
Toxic reaction with proteins and nucleic acids from Tylenol
Toxic reactions from Tylenol

Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®)

  • Metabolism: oxidation
    • Inhibitor of CYP2C9
  • Onset of action: 30-60 min
  • t½: 2-4 hr
  • 800mg every 6 hours
  • MDD: 2.4g/day
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Proprionic acid
Proprionic acid

Acute: Migraine-Specific Drugs

  • Ergot Alkaloids/Ergotamines
  • Triptans

Ergot alkaloids (Ergotamines)

  • Derivatives of Claviceps purpurea (fungus)
  • First migraine-specific drugs
    • Germany 1893, US and UK 1894
    • Historically, used both acutely and for prophylaxis
  • Not used frequently
    • Dependence
    • Toxicity
Image
ergot plant
Ergot

Ergotamines

  • Indications: Migraine with or without aura
  • Mechanism of Action: Complex!
    • Alpha-adrenergic: partial agonists, antagonize Norepinephrine/5-HT (serotonin)
    • 5-HT receptors: partial agonist
    • Dopamine receptors: partial agonist
    • Net result = cerebral and peripheral vasoconstriction

Ergotamine

  • Low oral bioavailability + >90% first pass effect
  • Formulations: SL tablet, suppository (with caffeine)
  • Avoid in Pregnancy
    • Vasoconstriction of uterine vessels, decreased placental blood flow
  • Onset = 0.5-3 hours
  • T½ = 2 hours
  • Excretion
    • Primarily fecal (90%)
  • Metabolism: CYP3A4
  • Adverse Drug Reactions: N/V, dizziness, bradycardia
  • Dose: 2mg every 30 minutes
    • Max 6mg/24 hours, or 10mg/week
  • Caffeine enhances absorption of ergotamines; there are also combination oral formulations

Dihydroergotamine (Migranal®)

  • Mechanism of Action: Similar to parent compound
    • Increased alpha-adrenergic blockade
    • Improves tolerance
  • Pregnancy - contraindicated
  • Adverse Drug Reactions: N/V, dizziness, rhinitis (nasal spray)
  • Low bioavailability, >90% First Pass Effect (FPE)
  • Onset = 15-30 min (IM)
  • T½ = 9-10 hr
  • Metabolism: CYP3A4
  • Excretion: primarily fecal
  • Formulations: IV, IM, SubQ, nasal spray

Question: Which of the following patients should NOT take dihydroergotamine? Select all that apply.

Correct
Correct
Correct
Incorrect

Triptans

  • Almotriptan (Axert®)
  • Eletriptan (Relpax®)
  • Rizatriptan (Maxalt®)
  • Sumatriptan (Imitrex®)
  • Zolmitriptan (Zomig®)
  • Migraine-specific drugs
    • 5-HT1B/1D agonists
    • Inhibit calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in trigeminal sensory neurons
  • Abortive therapy for acute migraine episode
    • Most effective when taken early in the course of the attack (mild pain)
    • NOT indicated for migraine prophylaxis
      • Guideline exceptions: Frovatriptan, Naratriptan, Zolmitriptan
      • Short-term prophylaxis for menstrually-related migraine (MRM)
      • Level A or B

Triptans: Contraindications

  • Cardiovascular: CAD/IHD/MI, arteriosclerosis, angina, PVD, HTN
  • Cerebrovascular: Cerebrovascular disease, stroke, basilar or hemiplegic migraine
  • Severe hepatic disease
  • Concurrent Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAO-I) therapy

Triptans: Precautions

  • Pregnancy Category C
  • 24hr washout
    • Triptan and ergot
    • Triptan and other 5-HT agonists – ex. Amphetamines
    • Triptan and another triptan
  • 2 week washout between triptan and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO-I)
  • Dose adjust in renal/hepatic impairment
  • Common adverse drug reactions of triptans:
    • Tight feeling in throat or chest
    • Flushing; parasthesias
    • Sleepiness

Sumatriptan (Imitrex®)

Image
Chemical composition of imitrex
Imitrex
  • First triptan available
  • Indications: migraine +/- aura
  • Onset = 30 minutes (oral)
  • T½ = 2-3 hr
  • Metabolism: hepatic, primarily monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A)
  • Excretion: primarily urine
  • Formulations: SQ, PO, intranasal, transdermal
    • Treximet®: combination with naproxen
    • = sumatriptan 85mg + naproxen 500mg

Sumatriptan: Novel Dosage Form

  • Zecuity®
    • Transdermal iontophoretic patch
    • Why is a transdermal dosage form useful?
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Sumatriptan patch on woman's arm next to an illustration of the process by which the medicine is absorbed by the body
Sumatriptan

Rizatriptan (Maxalt®)

Image
Chemical composition of rizatriptan
Rizatriptan
  • Indications: migraine +/- aura
  • Onset = 2 hr
  • T½ = 2-3 hr
  • Metabolism: MAO-A
  • Excretion: primarily urine
  • Formulations: PO tablet, Orally Disintigrating Tablets (ODT)

Rizatriptan: Clinical Pearls

  • Maxalt-MLT contains phenylalanine
    • Important to know if patient has PKU
  • Drug interaction with propranolol
    • Concurrent administration of propranolol 240 mg/day and a single dose of rizatriptan 10 mg resulted in a 70% increase in the mean rizatriptan AUC.
    • Dose adjust rizatriptan
    • Changes max to 5mg/dose, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) 15mg/24h

Eletriptan (Relpax®)

Image
Chemical composition of eletriptan
Eletriptan
  • Indications: migraine +/- aura
  • Onset = 1.5-2 hours
  • T½ = 4 hrs (metabolite 13hrs)
  • Metabolism: CYP3A4 to active metabolite
  • Excretion
  • Formulations: PO tablet

Triptans: Major Depressive Disorder

  • Dosing for triptans
  • All labeled: May repeat in 2 hr* if the migraine headache has not resolved
  • Controlled trials have not established the effectiveness of a second dose if the initial dose was ineffective
  • All have MDD
  • Almotriptan (Axert®):
    • MDD 25 mg
  • Eletriptan (Relpax®):
    • MDD 80 mg
  • Frovatriptan (Frova®):
    • MDD 7.5 mg
  • Naratriptan (Amerge®):
    • MDD 5 mg (*repeat in 4 hrs)
  • Rizatriptan (Maxalt®):
    • MDD 30 mg (*propranolol)
  • Sumatriptan (Imitrex®):
    • MDD 200 mg
  • Zolmitriptan (Zomig®):
    • MDD 10 mg

(Clinical Pharmacology and LexiComp)

CGRP Antagonists

  • Several have been tested
  • Many with limiting side effects, particularly liver toxicity
  • Rationale makes sense when considering the role of CGRP in migraine etiology
  • Theoretically better than serotonin agonists, which can be problematic particularly with cardiovascular disease
  • For more information:

Other Pharmacologic Options

  • Barbiturates: butalbital†
  • Opioids: butorphanol (others off-label)
  • Anticonvulsants†
  • Midrin® (acetaminophen/dichloralphenazone/isometheptene)
    • Midrin: functionally discontinued – no longer being produced
    • Can be compounded
  • Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)†

Feverfew

Image
Feverfew flowers
Feverfew
  • Tanacetum parthenium
    • Chrysanthemum species
  • Mechanism of Action: unknown
    • Conflicting data regarding efficacy
    • Several pain/inflammatory pathways have been studied without definitive results
  • Avoid in pregnancy: risk of uterine contractions
  • Avoid in breast-feeding: limited data

Antiemetics

  • Adjunct therapy, if N/V is a component of migraine
  • 5-HT3 antagonists
    • ondansetron, alosetron, dolasetron, granisetron, palonosetron
  • Phenothiazines
    • promethazine, prochlorperazine, perphenazine
  • Antihistamines
    • cyclizine, hydroxyzine, meclizine
  • Dopamine antagonist
    • metoclopramide
  • Dexamethasone
    • Mechanism of action as antiemetic unknown

Assessing Migraine Therapy

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Table showing questions to calculate effectiveness of migraine therapy
Assessing migraine therapy

Migraine Prophylaxis

Indications:

  • More than 2 headaches per month
  • Poorly managed with acute treatment options
    • Contraindication(s)
    • Intolerance
    • Medication overuse
    • Treatment failure
  • Consider cost of acute and preventive therapies
  • Uncommon migraine conditions
    • Basilar, hemiplegic, migraine with prolonged aura

Prophylactic agents

  • Levels A-B
    • Antiepileptics
    • Beta-blockers
  • Others
    • Calcium channel blockers
    • ACE-Is/ARBs
    • Anti-histamines
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Classification of pharmacologic agents for migraine prophylaxis
Pharmacologic agents for migraine prophylaxis

Antiepileptics

  • Valproic Acid (level A)
  • Topiramate (level A)
  • Valproate (hypotheses)
    • Increases GABA transmission
    • Blocks voltage-gated sodium channels
    • Modulates release of Dopamine and 5-HT
  • Other antiepileptics block voltage-gated sodium channels potentiate GABA receptor activity

Beta-blockers

  • Propranolol (level A)
  • Timolol (level A)
  • Metoprolol†* (level A)
  • Atenolol†* (level B)
  • Timolol†* (level B)
  • Mechanism of Action: thought to modulate the catecholamine responses produced in migraine patients
  • Anxiolytic properties address the stress-related component of migraine (locus coeruleus)

*Off-label, but found in treatment guidelines

Onabotulinumtoxin A (BOTOX®)

  • Botulinum toxin A
    • Neurotoxin
  • MOA (hypothesis):
    • Interrupts neuromuscular signaling
    • Inhibits release of excitatory amino acids, and inflammatory neuropeptides
  • Qualifying for treatment:
    • Frequency: patient must meet criteria for “chronic migraine,” defined as migraine headaches ≥15 days/month,
    • PLUS
    • Duration: headaches last ≥4 hours per day
    • 18 or older

Onabotulinumtoxin A (BOTOX®)

  • Tx: prophylactic treatment of chronic migraine
  • Dose: IM 5 units/0.1mL per site
    • Total dose: 155 units once every 12 weeks (bilaterally) into 31 total sites
  • Problems swallowing, speaking, or breathing, due to weakening of associated muscles, can be severe and result in loss of life. Swallowing problems may last for several months.
  • Spread of toxin effects. The effect of botulinum toxin may affect areas away from the injection site and cause serious symptoms including: loss of strength and all-over muscle weakness, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, hoarseness or change or loss of voice (dysphonia), trouble saying words clearly (dysarthria), loss of bladder control, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing.

Botox injection sites: migraine

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Botox injection sites for migraine on the face, head, and back of neck, following by dosing instructions.
Botox injection sites and dosing

General Approaches to Pharmacological Treatment

  • Consider tolerability of therapy for the patient
  • Maintain realistic expectations (patient and provider)
  • Give therapy an adequate trial – 2 months
    • Can be hard for a patient who is in pain
    • Non-pharmacologic interventions can be used concurrently to maximize results
  • Make changes at that time if necessary
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