Sumatriptan iontophoretic transdermal system for the acute treatment of migraine

Pain Manag. 2014 Mar;4(2):123-8. doi: 10.2217/pmt.13.71.

Abstract

SUMMARY We will describe the pharmacokinetic profile, clinical efficacy and safety data of the sumatriptan iontophoretic transdermal system (Zecuity®, NuPathe Inc., PA, USA), recently approved for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults, by the US FDA. This transdermal system utilizes a low-level electrical current to deliver sumatriptan transdermally and circumvents the GI tract. Pharmacokinetic studies have shown that iontophoretic delivery of sumatriptan achieves detectable plasma concentrations 15 min after activation with a maximum mean serum concentration of 22 ng/ml. A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial demonstrated minimal triptan-related side effects and superior efficacy versus placebo. The pain-free rate at 2 h postdose was 18% of patients applying the sumatriptan patch versus 9% using the placebo (p = 0.0092). This sumatriptan transdermal system may be a good choice for migraineurs with severe nausea or vomiting, those with intolerable triptan-related adverse events and/or those not responding optimally to oral medications.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Cutaneous
  • Humans
  • Iontophoresis
  • Migraine Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Serotonin 5-HT1 Receptor Agonists / administration & dosage*
  • Serotonin 5-HT1 Receptor Agonists / therapeutic use
  • Sumatriptan / administration & dosage*
  • Sumatriptan / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Serotonin 5-HT1 Receptor Agonists
  • Sumatriptan