Rimegepant Beats Placebo for Triptan-Resistant Migraine
- For migraine sufferers who haven't found relief wiht triptans, rimegepant, also known as Nurtec, may offer a new option.
- The research, led by Peter McAllister, MD, examined rimegepant's efficacy in adults with a history of migraine and documented failure of at least two triptans.
- McAllister explained that while both rimegepant and triptans target the CGRP mechanism, they work differently.
Rimegepant, a promising new treatment, is showing notable results for those with triptan-resistant migraines. In a recent study highlighted at the American Headache Society Annual Scientific Meeting, rimegepant provided substantial pain relief and restored normal function for migraine sufferers. This calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist offers a novel approach, effectively treating acute migraine attacks when other medications have failed. The research indicated comparable adverse events between rimegepant and placebo groups, reinforcing its potential. Moreover, the study demonstrates the drug’s superiority in various endpoints, including pain freedom and the reduction of rescue medication needs. News Directory 3 is keeping you informed about this significant development in migraine treatment. Discover what’s next in migraine management.
Rimegepant Shows Promise for triptan-Resistant Migraines
Updated June 19, 2025
For migraine sufferers who haven’t found relief wiht triptans, rimegepant, also known as Nurtec, may offer a new option. A recent study presented at the American Headache Society Annual Scientific Meeting suggests the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor agonist is effective in treating acute migraine, even when triptans have failed.
The research, led by Peter McAllister, MD, examined rimegepant’s efficacy in adults with a history of migraine and documented failure of at least two triptans. Participants experienced between four and 14 migraine days each month.
McAllister explained that while both rimegepant and triptans target the CGRP mechanism, they work differently. Triptans prevent the release of CGRP, while rimegepant blocks CGRP at the postsynaptic receptor. The study aimed to assess rimegepant as a novel concept in a real-world setting, allowing participants to continue their existing preventive migraine therapy.
the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involved 585 adults who were assigned to receive either a 75 mg dose of rimegepant or a placebo during a migraine attack of moderate-to-severe intensity. Researchers then evaluated pain relief at two hours post-dose, along with other factors such as the need for rescue medication and the restoration of normal function.
Rimegepant demonstrated superiority over the placebo in providing pain relief two hours after administration, with 55.9% of participants reporting relief compared to 32.7% in the placebo group. The drug also outperformed the placebo in secondary endpoints, including pain freedom, the need for rescue medication, and sustained normal function.
“It wasn’t like we hit on half of our secondary outcome measures, or three quarters of them,” McAllister said. “They were positive 100% of the time.”
The frequency of adverse events was similar in both the rimegepant (12.5%) and placebo (12.1%) groups, with most events being mild.
McAllister noted the robustness of the findings, suggesting clinicians consider rimegepant for patients who have not responded to triptans. He added that the study’s results indicate that even if triptans are ineffective, another CGRP-targeting drug like rimegepant may still provide relief.
“If you have a class of drugs, the triptans, that doesn’t work, you would think maybe another CGRP drug like rigemepant wouldn’t work,” he said. “Turns out, it does. So, I think that’s the significant piece of data from the trial.”
What’s next
Based on these findings, further research may explore the long-term effectiveness and safety of rimegepant for individuals with triptan-resistant migraines, potentially solidifying its role in migraine management.