Frovatriptan – the gentle one
Frovatriptan (Allegro) is currently the newest triptan and will be available as a 2.5 mg film-coated tablet from autumn 2002. The recommended single dose is 2.5 mg frovatriptan. If the migraine recurs after an initial improvement in the form of recurring headaches, a second dose can be taken, provided that at least 2 hours have passed after taking the first dose. The total daily dose should not exceed 5 mg of frovatriptan per day.
Special features at a glance
- Frovatriptan differs from other triptans in that it binds to additional serotonin receptors.
- On the one hand, the substance binds strongly to 5HT1B/D receptors like the other triptans, but in contrast to sumatriptan, frovatriptan also binds to 5HT7 receptors.
- These receptors are located particularly on the blood vessels of the heart.
- Their activation causes vasodilation, meaning blood flow is not reduced. In a study, even with an extreme 40-fold overdose of 100 mg frovatriptan, no significant side effects were found in the area of the cardiovascular system in healthy people. Such side effects in the cardiovascular system could theoretically be less likely to occur in migraine patients.
- Frovatriptan is slowly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. After 2 hours, 38% and 37% of patients who received 2.5 and 5 mg frovatriptan, respectively, showed significant improvement in migraine headaches.
- After 4 hours the improvement rate is 68% and 67%.
- Frovatriptan has a long-lasting effect, making the drug particularly suitable for long-lasting attacks lasting two to three days.
- The likelihood of headaches recurring after initial effectiveness is low.