Almotriptan in the treatment of migraine

Giorgio Sandrini, Armando Perrotta, Natalia L Arce Leal, Simona Buscone, Giuseppe Nappi

University Centre for Adaptive Disorders and Headache, IRCCS “C. Mondino Institute of Neurology” Foundation, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy

Abstract: Almotriptan is an orally administered, highly selective serotonin 5-HT(1_B/1_D) receptor agonist that is effective in the acute treatment of moderate to severe migraine attacks. Since its introduction on to the market in 2001, several studies involving a large number of migraine patients have confirmed its efficacy and tolerability profile. Almotriptan, was found to be among the best-responding triptans in terms of pain relief and pain-free rate at 2 h. It has been reported that almotriptan has the best sustained pain-free (SPF) rate and the lowest adverse events (AEs) rate of all the triptans. When these clinical characteristics were combined to form the composite endpoint SPF and no AEs (SNAE), almotriptan emerged as the triptan with the best efficacy and tolerability profile. It also showed a good efficacy profile during the early treatment (within 1 h of onset) of migraine attacks characterized by moderate pain intensity. On the basis of these findings, almotriptan may be considered a therapeutic option for the acute treatment of migraine attacks.

Keywords: almotriptan, triptans, migraine, treatment