US approves 1st drug developed to prevent chronic migraines

TRENTON, N.J. — United States regulators have approved the first drug designed to prevent chronic migraines.

Thursday’s action by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clears the monthly shot for sale. Aimovig (AIM’-oh-vig) is the first in a new class of long-acting drugs for preventing migraines. Three other shots are expected to win approval by next year, and several pills are being tested.

Current prevention treatments include pills originally developed for epilepsy and other conditions, and the wrinkle reducer Botox but many patients abandon them because they do not help much or cause serious side effects.

Migraines can cause disabling symptoms: throbbing headaches, nausea and vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.            /kga