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Sunday, November, 08, 2009
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New Drug Approved for Migraine Attacks

Nancy Bonk
Nancy Bonk
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My first real experience with chronic head pain...

Nancy Bonk

Friday, June 26, 2009
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The FDA has approved a new prescription medication for the acute treatment of Migraine attacks, Cambia, developed by Kowa Pharmaceuticals America (KPA). Cambia is a combination of diclofenac (brand name Voltaren), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and potassium bicarbonate. In clini...
  1. Untitled Comment
    betsyb
    Friday, June 26, 2009 at 01:47 PM

    Great post, Nancy - thanks for the information. Yours is the first article that tells me this will be a prescription med and not OTC, since you say they have the patent til 2026. Is that correct?

     

    And in the midst of all the conversation and debate over health care, I wonder how much this drug will cost and how many migraineurs in the U.S. will realistically have access to it (be able to afford it)Undecided?!

    Reply
    re: Untitled Comment
    Nancy Bonk
    Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 01:09 PM

    Hi betsy,

     

    Cambia is a prescription medication, and it would be wonderful if it is cost effective for everyone....we will keep our fingers crossed! 

    Reply
  2. Terrific news!
    cking
    Friday, June 26, 2009 at 05:21 PM

    Hi Nancy!

     

    Thanks for the quick notification about this new medication.  I can see that it might be an excellent choice for people like myself who have migraines that escalate so quickly (nausea/vomitting) that we are unable to keep other medications down as a result.  As a result, our other conditions get worse (particularly, hypnic headaches which must be controlled by nightly "preventative" doses).

     

    If the Cambia is not effective (after several times trying it) in completing eliminating migraines, I wonder if it can be taken in tandem with Triptans like Maxalt, Frova, Etc. so that the Cambia can provide rapid semi-relief, then the triptan might take over and provide additive relief. 

     

    I plan to make an apt with my physician to ask more (after I return from a trip).  Thanks for the notification!

     

    Reply
    re: Terrific news!
    Nancy Bonk
    Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 01:17 PM

    Thanks for the reading clemmie. I'm not sure if it is to taken be taken in place of  triptans since it is an combination NSAID, as soon as we find out more, we will pass it along!

       

    Reply
  3. Cambia/diclofenac
    Lawrence Robbins,M.D.
    Friday, June 26, 2009 at 09:54 PM

    Diclofenac has been an effective nsaid, marketed in the US as Voltaren, Cataflam, or(in combo with a stomach protecting med), Arthrotec.  This new form is interesting, we will see how well it works for migraines....it may be somewhat more effective in combination with something else, or for lesser headaches.  Lawrence Robbins, M.D.

    Reply
    re: Cambia/diclofenac
    Nancy Bonk
    Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 01:18 PM

    Thanks for reading Dr. Robbins. Any new drug we can add to our toolbox is good news for Migraineurs.

    Reply
  4. i use this as a topical arthritis med now
    mcmurraychick
    Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 12:58 PM

    i've used voltaren gel for over a year now, and i have noticed that when i have used it on my neck it has helped with pain levels.

     

    rainy weather is a big trigger for me, in more ways than one. not only cna it set off a migraine, but it makes my RA much worse. i started using voltaren, and until i read this hadn't really made the connection as this being what helped my head. but i can see where there is a posibility.

     

    as to being affordable, it's not cheap, by any means. but if it helps i'm all for it. i have said before and i will say again...... if it helps it's worth the price.

    Reply
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This animation shows one of the key causes of pain during a migraine--changes to the blood flow within the brain.

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