Relief in sight for migraine sufferers
New proteinblocking therapy seen to be highly effective
Migraine sufferers in the UAE now have access to the new antiCGRP migraine treatment option Vyepti that has shown phenomenal results by effectively reducing the monthly migraine days by up to 75 per cent, experts say.
What is migraine?
Often undiagnosed or under treated, a migraine is a debilitating neurological disorder that affects one in four people. It is characterised by a throbbing, radiating headache that can be triggered any time, and is accompanied by flashing lights or even auditory hallucinations in many severe cases. New research indicates that the Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide (CGRP) protein is one of the main triggers for migraines.
Dr Sweta Prakash Adatia, medical director and neurologist at RAK Hospital spearheading the new treatment, told Gulf News: “We see over 100 patients a month in our OPD [outpatient department] complaining of headaches and out of those around 60 per cent turn out to be migraine patients. Historically, more females than males experience migraine and the ratio is 70:30.”
Dr Adatia said: “CGRP is a molecule which is found in the brain and is majorly responsible for triggering the pain. Since the launch of the first anti-CGRP treatment at the hospital in mid-2020, we have been extensively prescribing the treatment option to our patients and they all have witnessed phenomenal change in their quality of life. Two medicines are administered subcutaneously and the latest, Vyepti, is injected intravenously for 30 minutes per sitting, once every three months.”
“We assess the patient and decide what treatment is most suitable for him or her.”
Many migraine patients are reporting a drastic reduction in migraine episodes and reclaiming the quality of their lives.
Daily migraine
Aimee May Schenk, a 30-year-old South African expat moved to the UAE six years ago and had a history of severe migraine for 13 years. Despite consulting several doctors such as chiropractors, acupuncturist and other alternative therapy healers, Schenk told Gulf News that she would suffer the radiating headache every single day of the year.
Schenk added: “I started my treatment in October 2021, as one of the doctors at the hospital, seeing the damage my headache was wreaking on my eyes, referred me to Dr Adatia. Ever since I have taken Vyepti [Eptinezmab], the IV injectable anti-CGRP, I have gone from having an attack every day to having it may be once every two weeks. “After so many years I am able to spend quality time with my family, have also starting studying again – something which terrified me so much earlier due to my condition.”
How it works
New age anti-CGRP drugs have become the biggest news in migraine management.
The monoclonal antibody in the medication blocks the activation of CGRP responsible for producing the migraine attack. Studies conducted on the drugs have indicated excellent results in each group undergoing the trials, said Dr Adatia. In cases where patients report considerable relief, doctors are able to taper off the medication gradually.
The treatment is covered under local insurance. The drug is not administered to pregnant women or a woman planning pregnancy. Studies have indicated that it may have mild side effects such as constipation, some nasopharyngeal infection but so far,such cases have not been seen at the hospital, which has over 200 patients under migraine treatment, said Dr Adatia.