Painkillers from three groups of active ingredients are currently available for the treatment of acute migraine headaches: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, triptans and rimegepant. With Lasmiditan, the treatment options improve once more significantly: Similar to the triptans already available, Lasmiditan leads to a narrowing of blood vessels. However, lasmiditan only does this in the brain, while triptans also work in other areas of the body, which can be problematic for people with cardiovascular disease.
The basis for the approval recommendation are two large studies with a total of 4439 people. With Lasmiditan, 32 or 39 percent, even with low doses, achieved freedom from pain significantly more than with a placebo, which caused an improvement in 15 or 21 percent. Noise and light sensitivity also decreased significantly more frequently. The mostly mild to moderate side effects included drowsiness, tiredness, abnormal sensations, nausea, vomiting and muscle weakness.
Lasmiditan has been approved in the US for the treatment of acute migraines since 2019. After the recommendation by the EMA, the subsequent approval by the European Commission is only a formality. Migraine is one of the most common types of headache. It can lead to extreme impairments in private and professional everyday life.
