Migraine headaches are more than just intense pain; they can include nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and can be debilitating, especially for women.
Norwegian researchers have made significant strides in identifying the most effective migraine prevention medications, potentially impacting treatment quality and healthcare costs.
Key Findings from Norwegian Prescription Register
The Norwegian Center for Headache Research (NorHead) conducted a comprehensive study using data from 2010 to 2020.
This research included over 100,000 individuals with migraines and focused on their use of acute migraine medications before and after starting preventive treatments.
“We looked at how long patients stayed on these preventive medicines and whether there was a decrease in their need for acute migraine medications,” explains Professor Marte-Helen Bjørk.
While beta blockers are commonly used as the initial preventive treatment for migraines, the study found three medications with more effective results:
- CGRP Inhibitors
- Amitriptyline
- Simvastatin
Amitriptyline and Simvastatin are traditionally used for depression, chronic pain, and high cholesterol, whereas CGRP inhibitors are specifically developed for chronic migraines.
Implications for Healthcare Costs and Patient Care
CGRP inhibitors, despite being more effective, are also more expensive. In 2021, their cost in Norway was around 500 million NOK. However, the study indicates that established, less costly medications like Amitriptyline and Simvastatin could offer similar benefits.
“This discovery is significant for both migraine patients and the overall healthcare system in Norway,” says Bjørk.
The NorHead team is currently undertaking a larger clinical study to further investigate the effectiveness of cholesterol-lowering drugs in preventing chronic and episodic migraines.
This research could lead to more cost-effective and accessible treatment options for migraine sufferers in Norway and potentially worldwide.
If you care about pain, please read studies about how to manage your back pain, and Krill oil could improve muscle health in older people.
For more information about pain, please see recent studies about how to live pain-free with arthritis, and results showing common native American plant may help reduce diarrhea and pain.
The research findings can be found in the European Journal of Neurology.
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