Migraines are
generally split into two main groups:
Migraines without Aura
Migraines with Aura
Either of these types of migraines can be
considered chronic if they occur more than 15 times per month.
To properly diagnose a migraine, your doctor may look for the
following symptoms:
Migraines
without Aura
Most people (80%) who suffer from migraines fall into this category.
Symptoms include:
Headaches lasting 4 – 72 hours
At least some of the following symptoms:
Pain in one part of the head
Pulsing/throbbing pain
Moderate to severe intensity
Sensitivity to motion, light, and/or sound
Nausea
Vomiting
Migraines
with Aura
These migraines are rarer and typically have the following
warning signs:
Disturbance to vision up to 60 minutes before pain begins
(the aura)
Neurological disturbances that can include:
Blind spots, flashing lights, blurred vision
Tingling in the hands and/or feet
Numbness
Speech difficulties
Weakness in half the body
DID YOU KNOW? Most migraines are morning
migraines. That is, they occur between the hours of 5am – 8am, usually causing people
to wake up in pain. Typically medication is not
taken in these
cases as most migraine medicines won’t work if taken
too late during an attack. But MIGRANAL® (dihydroergotamine
mesylate) is different and works anytime –even if taken
during an attack.
Serious and/or life-threatening peripheral ischemia has been associated with the coadministration of dihydroergotamine with potent CYP3A4 inhibitors including protease inhibitors and macrolide antibiotics. Because CYP3A4 inhibition elevates the serum levels of dihydroergotamine, the risk for vasospasm leading to cerebral ischemia and/or ischemia of the extremities is increased. Hence, concomitant use of these medications is contraindicated.
Migranal Nasal Spray should not be given to patients with ischemic heart disease (angina pectoris, history of myocardial infarction, or documented silent ischemia) or to patients who have clinical symptoms or findings consistent with coronary artery vasospasm, including Prinzmetal's variant angina. Migranal also should not be given to patients with uncontrolled hypertension, patients who have used 5-HT1 agonists, ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medications or methysergide within the last 24 hours, or patients with hemiplegic or basilar migraine. Migranal Nasal Spray is also contraindicated in patients with known peripheral arterial disease, sepsis, following vascular surgery, and severely impaired hepatic or renal function. Migranal Nasal Spray should not be administered to pregnant women or nursing mothers.
Serious cardiac events, including some that have been fatal, have occurred following use of DHE 45 but are extremely rare. During clinical studies and the foreign postmarketing experience with Migranal Nasal Spray, there have been no fatalities due to cardiac events.
The most commonly reported adverse events in clinical trials for Migranal Nasal Spray were rhinitis, altered sense of taste, application site reactions, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Adverse events associated with discontinuation were rhinitis, dizziness, facial edema, cold sweats, accidental trauma, depression, elective surgery, somnolence, allergy, vomiting, hypotension, and paresthesia.
