Naratriptan – the long-lasting
The development of naratriptan (Naramig) focused primarily on finding an active ingredient with fewer side effects than sumatriptan and, at the same time, less frequent recurrence of headaches.
Naratriptan is primarily used for migraine patients who are particularly sensitive to side effects. Naratriptan produces hardly any more side effects than a placebo. Furthermore, the frequency of recurrent headaches is very low at 19 percent.
Naratriptan is administered as a 2.5 mg tablet. If the effect is insufficient, a 5 mg dose can be taken. Naratriptan tablets, like all other triptans, should be used as soon as possible after the onset of a headache. Clinical efficacy is somewhat lower at the 2.5 mg dose compared to sumatriptan. However, by increasing the naratriptan dose to 5 mg, good efficacy can be achieved even in patients who do not respond adequately to 2.5 mg. For very long attacks lasting two to three days, the combination of 5 mg Naramig® and 500 mg naproxen or 120 mg Arcoxia® has proven effective.
Formigran has been available without a prescription since April 2006. Bioequivalent and co-payment-free generic versions have also been on the market since March 2012, while the original brand-name drug is priced above the fixed reimbursement amount.
Key features in brief
- Due to its good tolerability, naratriptan can be particularly recommended for patients who are being treated with a triptan for the first time.
- The same applies to young patients and to patients who are particularly sensitive to drug therapies.
- It is also recommended for use in patients whose attacks are moderately severe and who experience only mild nausea and vomiting.
- Due to the low recurrence rate of headaches, naratriptan is also recommended for patients who frequently experience recurrence of headaches under other treatment methods.
- Side effects are minimal. Only occasionally do mild fatigue, skin tingling, tightness in the chest and throat occur. A feeling of heaviness in the arms and legs, as well as mild dizziness, may also be present.
- A disadvantage is the slow onset of action, which can take up to four hours. Therefore, it should be taken early.