The expert migraine guide: are old pills best?
- A review by Oxford University found that triptans, an older class of drugs, are more effective for migraine relief than newer gepants.
- The study identified eletriptan and ibuprofen as the most effective for sustained pain freedom.
- Experts caution against assuming older medications are universally better, as individual responses to treatment can vary.
A recent review conducted by scientists at the University of Oxford and published in the British Medical Journal has revealed that older medications, specifically triptans, are more effective in alleviating migraine pain compared to newer, more expensive treatments known as gepants. The study highlighted that eletriptan and ibuprofen were particularly effective for achieving sustained pain relief. However, the research focused on statistical comparisons of various acute medications, rather than individual treatment efficacy. This raises concerns about the applicability of the findings to personal treatment plans, as individual responses to medication can vary significantly. Dr. Katy Munro, a headache specialist, emphasized the importance of not assuming that older medications will work best for everyone, as the study did not account for individual patient experiences or preferences. The implications of this research suggest that patients and healthcare providers may need to reconsider the reliance on newer, pricier migraine treatments in favor of older, proven options that may offer quicker relief.