New hope is emerging for thousands of people living with chronic migraine in England and Wales as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended atogepant for routine use on the NHS. This groundbreaking treatment could provide a much-needed solution for those who have struggled to manage their condition using existing medications.
Atogepant, known by its brand name Aquipta, works by blocking the activity of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a protein involved in the development of migraine pain. By targeting this pathway, atogepant aims to reduce both the frequency and severity of migraine attacks. The treatment is designed for adults who experience at least four migraine days per month and have tried – but failed – three other preventative therapies.
Migraine affects around one in seven people in the UK, causing debilitating headaches accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Chronic migraine, which involves experiencing 15 or more headache days a month, has a significant impact on daily life, employment, and overall well-being for many individuals.
While current NHS treatments include various oral medications and injectable CGRP inhibitors, atogepant offers a new oral option that may be particularly appealing to those who find injections difficult or inconvenient. Clinical trials have shown the effectiveness of atogepant in reducing migraine days, offering renewed hope for those who haven't responded well to existing therapies.
The draft NICE recommendation is now open to public consultation, allowing patient groups, healthcare professionals, and pharmaceutical companies to share their views before the final guidance is issued later this year. This marks an important step towards making atogepant a reality for thousands of people living with chronic migraine in England and Wales.