Frovatriptan, sold under the brand name Frova, is a triptan drug developed by Vernalis for the treatment of migraine headaches[1] and for short term prevention of menstrual migraine.[2] The product is licensed to Endo Pharmaceuticals in North America and Menarini in Europe.[3]

Medical uses

Frovatriptan is used in the treatment of migraine.

Available forms

It is available as 2.5 mg tablets.

Contraindications

Frovatriptan should not be given to patients with:

  • Ischemic heart disease
  • Cerebrovascular syndrome
  • Peripheral vascular disease
  • Uncontrolled hypertension
  • Hemiplegic or basilar migraine

Side effects

Rare, but serious cardiac events have been reported in patients with risk factors predictive of CAD. These include: coronary artery vasospasm, transient myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation.

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Further information: Serotonin receptor agonist and Triptan § Mechanism_of_action

Frovatriptan is a serotonin receptor agonist, with high affinity for the 5-HT1B/1D receptors. It has no significant effects on the GABAA mediated channel activity and benzodiazepine binding sites. Frovatriptan inhibits excessive dilation of arteries that supply blood to the head.

Pharmacokinetics

Frovatriptan has a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 26 hours, making it the longest within its class.[4]

Society and culture

US licensing

Frovatriptan is available only by prescription in the United States and Canada, where a secondary New Drug Approval (sNDA) was filed in July 2006.[5]

References

  1. ^ Allais G, Benedetto C (2016). "Spotlight on frovatriptan: a review of its efficacy in the treatment of migraine". Drug Design, Development and Therapy. 10: 3225–3236. doi:10.2147/DDDT.S105932. PMC 5055118. PMID 27757013.
  2. ^ MacGregor EA (2014). "A review of frovatriptan for the treatment of menstrual migraine". International Journal of Women's Health. 6: 523–35. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S63444. PMC 4039425. PMID 24904224.
  3. ^ "Frova". Vernalis. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-11-28.
  4. ^ Balbisi, Ebrahim (September 2006). "Frovatriptan: A Review of Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics and Clinical Potential in the Treatment of Menstrual Migraine". Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management. 2 (3): 303–308. doi:10.2147/tcrm.2006.2.3.303. PMC 1936266. PMID 18360605.
  5. ^ "Patient Information Sheet -- Frovatriptan succinate (marketed as Frova)". Food and Drug Administration. July 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2007-11-28.

External links