NICE backs atogepant for acute migraine treatment on NHS
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended atogepant as an NHS treatment option for adults experiencing acute migraine attacks after other commonly used medicines have failed.
According to NICE’s final draft guidance, the oral treatment can be offered to adults with migraine with or without aura who have previously tried at least two triptans without sufficient benefit.
It can also be used by those who cannot take triptans, and in cases where non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and paracetamol have also proved ineffective.
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The recommendation was supported by results from the Phase III ECLIPSE study, which evaluated the drug as an acute treatment for migraine.
The trial found that 24.3% of patients receiving atogepant were pain-free two hours after taking the drug during their first treated migraine attack, compared with 13.1% of those receiving placebo.
The ECLIPSE study also found no individual treatment-emergent adverse event occurring in more than 2% of participants during treatment of the first migraine attack.
The most frequently reported adverse events during the study were nasopharyngitis and upper respiratory tract infection.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency granted AbbVie UK marketing authorisation for atogepant in April.
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Rachael Millward, medical director at AbbVie UK, said: 'Migraine is a complex neurological condition that can have a profound impact on quality of life, leading to social withdrawal and missed work.
‘This NICE recommendation will enable eligible patients in England and Wales access to an acute treatment option for the treatment of their migraine attacks.'
Rob Music, chief executive of the Migraine Trust, also welcomed the decision, commenting: 'Those living with migraine typically try a number of medicines before finding what works best for them.
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‘That is why it is so important that there are a variety of treatments available and clinicians have clear guidance on how they should be prescribed.'
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