Trials for preventative migraine drug underway in Calgary

Canadians who suffer from migraines maysoon have access to a drug that a Calgary doctor says preventssplitting headaches before they start and, in some cases, snuff them out altogether.

Trials are underway in the cityfor a drug that targets the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) molecule, which is responsible fortransmitting pain signals through the body during migraines.

"They either destroy the CGRP itself or they block the receptor which the CGRP works through to cause its effects," said Dr.Werner Becker, founding director of the Calgary Headache Assessment & Management Program.

The difference between this drug and painkillers is that it can prevent migraines, said Becker.It's meant to be taken all the time not just when you feela debilitating headache coming on.

'New chapter in migraine therapy'

The new drug has also been a game-changerfor some of the people participating in the trials.

"A small minority maybe 10 to 15 per cent, seem to lose their attacks completely while they're on these drugs," said Becker.

"Most migraine preventative drugs reduce the number of attacks, but they don't eliminate them. Patients still have to treat individual attacks with the acute medications to some extent."

• Medical marijuana: How a headache sufferer got his insurance to cover cannabis
• 5 tricks to tame your migraine

While he calls the medication a "new chapter in migraine therapy," Becker isquick to point out that it's not a cure.

"Not all patients will respond to them. But they're one more treatment option."

Few side-effects

Becker said the drug, which is administeredby aninjection, could be available to Canadians in two years.

Drug trials revealthat it has few side-effects.

"These aren't drugs in the usual sense," he said.

"These are antibodies that are produced to specifically target the CGRP molecule or its receptor. So, because they're so specific, they don't have a lot of side-effects. You know, they don't affect other systems. They simply go in and do what they're supposed to do."

Calgary is not accepting any more patients for its trial right now, but Beckersaid there will be a callout for more participants in August.

• MORE CALGARY NEWS |Animals, emperors and goddesses: Calgary exhibit shows many faces of money
• VIDEO |Wolf manoeuvres through traffic to take down young bighorn on Alberta highway