Ubrogepant: a new era in migraine treatment

Abstract

Migraine is the most common neurological disorder that leads to incapacitating neurological symptoms. Acute attacks of migraine have been dealt with effectively with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ergot derivatives and triptans since long, but their use is limited by various adverse effects. Recent studies have shown that a neuropeptide, calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) plays a major role in pathophysiology of migraine by increasing the pain perception, both at the peripheral and central nervous system levels. So, in the last few years, some CGRP antagonists have found their way in the treatment of both episodic and chronic migraine. Ubrogepant is the first oral CGRP antagonist, that was approved by USFDA (United States food and drug administration) in December 2019, for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura. It is more potent than the earlier CGRP receptor antagonists, has a good oral bioavailability and the risk of hepatotoxicity is also lesser than the previous Gepants.