Approximately 30 million Americans have migraines (13% of adult population)
- 18% of women and 6% of men experience migraines
- Most common in working population from 25 to 55 years old
- Direct medical expenditures exceed $11 billion per year in U.S.
Migraine attack
- May start with a warning phase involving tiredness and abnormal sensitivity to noise, lights or smells
- May be preceded by “Aura” - flashing lights, small areas of temporary visual loss and tingling or numbness on one side of the face. Headache usually one-sided, throbbing, and moderate or severe in intensity, worsening by movement
- Accompanied by nausea and vomiting and light and sound sensitivity
- Lasts from 4 to 72 hours and be followed by tiredness, mood changes and difficulty concentrating
- Migraineurs suffer on average three migraines per month
Treatments available but need for improved therapies
- Under-diagnosed and under-treated
- > 40% of patients don’t respond to triptans or are unsatisfied
Lipton et al Headache 2001 Jul-Aug; 41 (7):646-57 - Efficacy of current triptans and ergot amines is conferred through significant vasoconstrictor effects
- Significant warnings and contraindications for triptans limit use
- Migraineurs experience
- Diminished quality of life
- Substantial lost work/school time
- 53% of migraneurs suffer impairment in activities or require bed rest
- 31% missed at least 1 day of work or school in the previous 3 months
- 51% reported that work or school productivity was reduced by at least 50%.
