Headache for migraine drug

And speaking of new drugs, murmurs in the press have arisen about side effects of Glaxo's new wonder migraine drug sumatriptan on the eve of its launch in the UK.

According to Mims Magazine, in vitro studies have suggested that sumatriptan could constrict coronary blood vessels.

A Glaxo spokesman denies that any studies in humans have shown the drug has such an effect.

Nevertheless, according to Mims, patients have reported "sensations of warmth and tingling", possibly linked to the drug's effect on blood vessels.

A Glaxo spokesman was quoted as saying, "These are a signal that there is some effect on the vasculature, but the sensations are transient and not related to changes in cardiac circulation."

Sumatriptan is a 5-hydroxytryptamine analogue, which works by blocking 5HT/serotonin, a brain chemical thought to have a primary role in migraine.

Related WDDTY Content

Sumatriptan

Sumatriptan is the latest wonder drug for treating the misery of migraine headache. It was launched by Glaxo under the brand name of Imigran. ... ...

Migraine drug: side effects

Most patients taking injectable sumatriptan, the new "wonder" drug for migraine, will suffer a range of side effects or recurrence of headache hours a...

Sumatriptan

Q:Recently I had occasion to visit my GP as a migraine attack had occurred, far worse than I had experienced previously, shortly followed by another....

New drugs - New profits for old product

Most new drugs are simply old drugs with a bit of window dressing to justify double the price tag. Yet, the dangers multiply from these novel twists a...

Migraine drug risky in pregnancy

Sumatriptan, a drug frequently prescribed for migraines, may pose a significant threat to babies when taken during pregnancy. ...

Say no to new drugs

When your doctor reaches for his prescription pad, possibly the most important question you can ask is the age of the drug he’s about to prescribe you...