Chloe Hedaya & Evan Berman
Staff Writers
Have you ever had a Migraine? If so, you probably know the insufferable pain and constant nausea that follows. However, scientists may have come up with a quick and easy solution. Zavzpret, a Nasal spray made by Pfizer, is aiming to cure these horrendous migraines in only 15 minutes. The spray is the first to work by blocking the calcitonin gene-related peptide, CGRP, a protein released in the brain that contributes to inflammation. While several pills can block CGRP, many who suffer from migraines cannot tolerate the pills due to nausea. It is also an alternate solution for those with heart disease or other conditions since these conditions prevent other migraine medications from working.
The positive effect of Zavspret is shown throughout two studies in which the participants of the study did not know whether they were getting the drug or the placebo. Within two hours, Zavspret was more effective at relieving migraine pain than the placebo, which contained no active ingredients. One study published in “The Lancet Neurology” revealed the benefits of the drug. 24% of the participants who took a 10mg dose reported they had no head pain two hours later. However, only 15% of the participants who did not get the drug reported no pain within the same 2 hours, which is a significant difference. The main side effect of the study was an altered sense of taste, which 20% of the participants claimed to have. Drowsiness and nasal discomfort were also reported, but these were not very common. This drug is life-changing for many since about 10% of people worldwide suffer from migraines. These migraines include throbbing pain, nausea, and a sensitivity to light, which can harm one’s everyday life. While this discovery is groundbreaking in helping many understand migraines, more trials need to be run to prove the long-term safety and consistency of pain relief across migraines. However, according to Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, this drug could be the new “Epipen of Migraine” and will be available in July 2023.