It is estimated that about 11% of the population suffers from migraine. Effective therapeutic options, especially for prophylaxis, are therefore urgently needed. Study results now also confirm long-term efficacy for erenumab.
The CGRP receptor antibody for migraine prophylaxis erenumab (Aimovig®) 140 mg reduces both the number of monthly migraine days (MMDs) and the number of monthly days of use of migraine-specific symptomatic medications (MSMDs), according to analyses of the study data. Patients showed rapid improvement in all efficacy parameters at weeks 13-16 and 21-24. Outcomes related to patients’ physical impairment and their ability to participate in daily activities also showed improvement. This long-term efficacy is particularly important for patients who have not previously been able to receive effective preventive therapy.
Significant reduction in acute medication
The fact that the number of acute migraine medication days can be reduced by half is also underscored by data from the active treatment phase of STRIVE. Here, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of erenumab 70 and 140 mg in episodic migraine patients with prior preventive treatment failures. 55% of patients receiving 140 mg of the CGRP receptor antibody had at least a 50% reduction in the number of monthly migraine days requiring acute medication. The efficacy could be demonstrated sustainably up to the 52nd week.
Sources:
- Media Update, “Novartis data underpin long-term efficacy of Aimovig® where other treatments have failed,” 07/01/2019.
- Media Update “Novartis data show Aimovig® cuts acute migraine medication days by half in patients who failed prior preventive therapies,” 07/01/2019.
HAUSARZT PRAXIS 2019; 14(8): 48
InFo NEUROLOGY & PSYCHIATRY 2019; 17(5): 36.
