Treatment Persistence and Switching in Triptan Users: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Triptans can be a valuable option for acute treatment of migraine. However, studies have shown that treatment persistence is low. This, along with frequent switching behaviors, suggests that a significant unmet clinical need remains despite the wide availability of triptans.

A novel intranasal breath-powered delivery system for sumatriptan: a review of technology and clinical application of the investigational product AVP-825 in the treatment of migraine

“…Observational studies consistently show low persistence with triptan therapy and frequent switching due to a number of factors, including formulary restrictions, adverse events, perceived lack of efficacy and cost [17][18][19][20]. Patients report dissatisfaction with the speed of effect, degree of relief, and tolerability of their acute migraine medication, and most patients (80%) are willing to try a new therapy [21].…”

Triptans for Acute Migraine Headache: Current Experience With Triptan Use and Prescription Habits in a Tertiary Care Headache Outpatient Clinic: An Observational Study

“…9,10 According to a review by Messali et al, the number of patients who do not refill their index triptan is between 38% and 65.8%. 9 By contrast only 3-13% of patients show triptan adherence with up to 6 refills. The high number of patients without triptans or not refilling their triptan indicates that there is an unmet need in acute migraine treatment that should be understood more thoroughly in order to prevent triptan discontinuation and improve adherence.…”

Single Therapeutic and Supratherapeutic Doses of Ubrogepant Do Not Affect Cardiac Repolarization in Healthy Adults: Results From a Randomized Trial

“…Commonly used acute treatments for migraine include triptans, opioids, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, combination analgesics, and barbiturates; however, the utility of these treatments is limited by inadequate efficacy, poor tolerability, and cardiovascular contraindications . Among these types of medications, only triptans were developed specifically for the acute treatment of migraine attacks, targeting the serotonin pathway in accordance with the vascular theory of migraine pathology .…”