100 Migraine Drugs from A to Z: frovatriptan

Frovatriptan (Frova) is one of seven drugs in the family of triptans, drugs used to abort a migraine attack. The first drug to receive approval in 1992 was sumatriptan (Imitrex) in an injection form, followed by tablets and nasal spray. Other drugs in this category are rizatriptan (Maxalt), zolmitriptan (Zomig), naratriptan (Amerge), almotriptan (Axert), and eletriptan (Relpax).

Frovatriptan is probably the least effective triptan and this is in part because it is the longest-lasting triptan and takes the longest to start working. Its half-life is 26 hours, which means that the body clears out half of it in that period of time. The half-life of sumatriptan, rizatriptan and zolmitriptan is 2 to 3 hours, almotriptan – 3 to 4 hours, eletriptan – 4 hours, and naratriptan – 6 hours.

When speed of onset is not crucial, which is when migraine develops slowly over a few hours, frovatriptan has the advantage of longer effect. However, if it does not provide good relief to begin with, the amount of time it stays in the body is irrelevant. Short-acting triptans work quickly and stop the migraine attack.

Frovatriptan is sometimes used for “mini-prophylaxis” of menstrual migraines – it is taken the day before the expected menstrual migraine and throughout the period. However, other triptans, including sumatriptan and naratriptan can be also effective in preventing predictable migraines, such as those occurring with periods, physical exertion or sexual activity.

Another disadvantage of frovatriptan is that it is expensive even in a generic form – $20 a pill. The triptans that only recently lost patent protection, such as frovatriptan and eletriptan have fewer generic copies and their prices are still high.