When was imitrex introduced

The tablets can be dissolved on or under the tongue, but the medication is then swallowed with saliva and is absorbed through the digestive system. Nasal Sprays: Nasal sprays are absorbed through the nasopharynx the area of the upper throat behind the nose , so they circumvent the digestive system. For some people with Migraine, this is very helpful, especially if they experience gastric stasis during a Migraine attack.

One problem that some people encounter is that some of the nasal spray can run down the throat, which increases nausea for some. The biggest advantage to subcutaneous injections is that they work more quickly than most of the other forms of triptans. Subcutaneous injections are administered under the skin with a very short needle. Another advantage of the injectable forms of triptans is that these injections bypass the digestive system, thus avoiding the increased nausea that often occurs when Migraine patients take oral medications.

This is also helpful for patients for whom gastric stasis slows the absorption of oral medications. The big issue with making a sumatriptan patch is that the sumatriptan molecule is too large to pass through the skin by placing it against the skin as traditional patches do.

This system got sumatriptan through the skin by using a process called iontophoresis, which required the patch to employ a small battery. The sumatriptan molecules were charged, which allowed them to pass through skin. Zecuity was approved by the FDA, but was subsequently pulled from the market when it caused burns on the arms of some patients.

This too is a new delivery system. The breath activated inhaler is vastly different. The top of it is inserted into one nostril and another part is inserted into the mouth. Asthma inhalers deliver medication to the lungs, but this inhaler delivers medication to the blood stream through the nasal membranes, which gets the medication into the blood stream more quickly than oral medications.

The way in which it functions closes off access to the throat so none of the medication goes to the stomach. Another new method of delivery for triptans is the oral film. This has been developed for quick and easy delivery of rizatriptan.

The rizatriptan oral film is under FDA review, but has not yet been approved. The development of triptan medications for the acute treatment of Migraine was a monumental event that changed the lives of patients with Migraine.

One of the goals of current research in the area of acute Migraine treatments is to address the needs of those Migraine patients. All rights reserved. FEIN Click Here. Skip to content. One way to address cost issues is through generic versions of brand-name medications. In the not too distant future, generic triptans are expected in this country.

The process by which the Food and Drug Administration FDA approves generic medications can be complicated and lengthy, and delays are common. Therefore, the following dates are only estimates for the arrival of generic triptans:. Generic medications are safely and effectively consumed by millions of people every day for the treatment of a variety of conditions. Once approved, patients should feel confident that their generic triptan will treat their migraine attacks in the same manner as their brand-name drug.

The obvious difference will be financial relief! Tags: Amerge , Axert , cluster headaches , frova , imitrex , Maxalt , medication , Relpax , triptans , Zomig. No Comments. Subscribe to our Monthly e-Newsletter.