Anvisa approves medication for migraine prevention

The product is indicated for adults who have at least four monthly episodes of the condition

The Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa) approved this Tuesday (September 8) the registration of the drug Aquipta (atogepant), indicated for adults who experience at least four migraine episodes monthly.

Atogepant works by blocking a pathway involved in pain transmission and the pathophysiology of migraines, thereby preventing the onset of attacks. Development studies demonstrated that the medication significantly reduces the number of monthly migraine days compared to placebo, in patients with both episodic and chronic forms of the condition.

Debilitating condition

Migraine is a highly debilitating neurological illness characterized by recurrent attacks of moderate-to-severe headache, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. It affects about 15% of the global population and it significantly impacts the quality of life, in addition to affecting work, social life, and healthcare services.

Although there are some therapeutic options for migraine prevention, many of them do not specifically target the disease's pathophysiological mechanisms. Aquipta, therefore, represents a new oral treatment option for the prevention of episodic and chronic migraine.