Frovatriptan Explained

Frovatriptan, sold under the brand name Frova, is a triptan drug developed by Vernalis for the treatment of migraine headaches^[1] and for short term prevention of menstrual migraine.^[2] The product is licensed to Endo Pharmaceuticals in North America and Menarini in Europe.^[3]

Medical uses

Frovatriptan is used in the treatment of migraine.

Available forms

It is available as 2.5 mg tablets.

Contraindications

Frovatriptan should not be given to patients with:

• Ischemic heart disease
• Cerebrovascular syndrome
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Uncontrolled hypertension
• Hemiplegic or basilar migraine

Side effects

Rare, but serious cardiac events have been reported in patients with risk factors predictive of CAD. These include: coronary artery vasospasm, transient myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation.

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Frovatriptan is a serotonin receptor agonist, with high affinity for the 5-HT_1B/1D receptors. It has no significant effects on the GABA_A mediated channel activity and benzodiazepine binding sites. Frovatriptan inhibits excessive dilation of arteries that supply blood to the head.

Pharmacokinetics

Frovatriptan has a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 26 hours, making it the longest within its class.^[4]

Society and culture

US licensing

Frovatriptan is available only by prescription in the United States and Canada, where a secondary New Drug Approval (sNDA) was filed in July 2006.^[5]

External links

• Frova (manufacturer's website)
• Frovatriptan Succinate (patient information)
• FDA labeling

Notes and References

1. Allais G, Benedetto C . Spotlight on frovatriptan: a review of its efficacy in the treatment of migraine . Drug Design, Development and Therapy . 10 . 3225–3236 . 2016 . 27757013 . 5055118 . 10.2147/DDDT.S105932 . free .
2. MacGregor EA . A review of frovatriptan for the treatment of menstrual migraine . International Journal of Women's Health . 6 . 523–35 . 2014 . 24904224 . 4039425 . 10.2147/IJWH.S63444 . free .
3. Web site: Frova . Vernalis . 2007-11-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070927225521/http://www.vernalis.com/ver/rdc2/pain/frovatriptan/ . 2007-09-27 . dead .
4. Balbisi. Ebrahim. September 2006. Frovatriptan: A Review of Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics and Clinical Potential in the Treatment of Menstrual Migraine. Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management. 2. 3. 303–308. 10.2147/tcrm.2006.2.3.303. 18360605. 1936266 . free .
5. Web site: Patient Information Sheet -- Frovatriptan succinate (marketed as Frova) . July 2006 . Food and Drug Administration . 2007-11-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070929141557/https://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/InfoSheets/patient/frovatripanPIS.htm . 2007-09-29 . dead .