Article on New Migraine drug MK-0974

I was paroozing webMD and found an easy to read article on a new migraine drug that shows promising results to those of us who cannot take or do not respond to triptan medications. Here is the link to the article.

What do you guys think? 50% is pretty good, but man..wouldn't it suck if we were the other 50% that didn't respond! I want something that is 100% effective or closer darnit!

Here is a little bit more from England

It has been reported that an experimental drug from Merck & Co. was comparable to AstraZeneca's Zomig in relieving migraine symptoms but had fewer side effects, according to a Merck-funded study.

The study found the Merck drug, code-named MK-0974 - which belongs to a new class of drugs known as calcitonin gene-related peptide, or CGRP, receptor agonists - was superior to a fake drug, or placebo, in relieving migraines, with similar rates of side effects.

This drug is now called telcagepant.
I was told by one of our top neuros this time last year that it failed tests as a preventative.
But might be re tried for a rescue. I think thats what he said...
I know he was very disappointed.

not sure what is occurring now, but Teri Roberts said its still in clinical trials..

See in the study I posted the results came out in favor of MK-0974 over Maxalt by a large percentage! Many more people found relief from this new drug.

I'd like to see them give out Imitrex or Frova too seeing Maxalt works for some but not all, I don't see it working for a large amount of people out there. Sumatriptan seems to be the most common, well tested of them all...I wonder why they didn't use that to test against. I know every triptan works differently for every person but like I said, sumatriptan has been around the longest, so that puzzles me. Hmmm...

I think it was very promising. But that article is over 2 years old.
I think it has just been shelved when I spoke with him last February.
I cant recall the problem, I think it was a possibility of liver damage, but not sure.
I remember it encouraged high levels of liver enzymes.
Lot out there now, from last september or so...

eck. That stinks


Thanks for the info, Pen. I know this has been talked about on the forum before but I haven't seen this article before..probably because it is dated. ah well..

Dont give up Lg. It does look as if it is still out there. Not totally dead in the water.
i seem to recall him telling me there was another one in the pipeline.
I must try to remember. I will ask my friend, she gets all the news.
We could use a new one.

I know that there is something out there in trial right now. My neuro mentioned it at my last appointment. I don't recall the name although it's possible that he never mentioned it. He didn't sound very optimistic about it however. Rats...

LG, I've been hearing about this drug for quite a few years now. Perhaps its still in the trial phase here in the states. Maybe your dr. might know something about it's progress, or lack thereof? You could bring it up at your next appt., either with the nuero or the pain specialist. If I can get in to see my nuero next month, I'll ask him, too. See what he knows.