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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Are All Triptans The Same?
        
(Message started by: Superirish2005 on Aug 8^th, 2007, 5:03pm)

Title: Are All Triptans The Same?
Post by Superirish2005 on Aug 8^th, 2007, 5:03pm

Was wondering if zomig, maxalt, axert and frova all do the same things and if one is more powerful then the other?

Title: Re: Are All Triptans The Same?
Post by luveemom on Aug 8^th, 2007, 5:58pm

As far as I know they are pretty much the same. I have taken amerge, and maxalt, and they give me chest pain so I cannot take imitrex or any other triptans. I can't say if any are stronger or not.

alicia

Title: Re: Are All Triptans The Same?
Post by chewy on Aug 8^th, 2007, 9:00pm

Troll alert!

Title: Re: Are All Triptans The Same?
Post by Bob_Johnson on Aug 9^th, 2007, 8:05am

They vary in how fast they start acting and how long their action lasts. This allows tailoring the med to the type and characteristics of an individual's headache.

Title: Re: Are All Triptans The Same?
Post by UN solved on Aug 9^th, 2007, 10:51am

Like Bob said, they are NOT the same. And just because one Triptan doesn't work, doesn't mean another won't work either.

Imitrex injections are the only thing that works for me

Goodluck

UNsolved

Title: Re: Are All Triptans The Same?
Post by bluesunshine on Aug 10^th, 2007, 1:49am

I see no Troll, I am the Troll !

NO they are not doing the same things, look at their molecular structure!! are they the same?

Structure and function, remember that? Each molecule will effect differently biologically due to their structure, it is simple as that, even if they have THE indole ring (the core).

Zolmitriptan (zomig) and sumatriptan (imitrex) are the most effective abortive med at the moment for the majority of Clusterheads (with O2) and (I know maybe you use other abortive meds- I talk about majority, not all other single case).

blue

Title: Re: Are All Triptans The Same?
Post by LeLimey on Aug 10^th, 2007, 10:32am

I will answer this for the benefit of others who read but never post and may be interested.

Triptans are basically the same in the respect that they are all vaso-constrictors. Triptans were "invented" for use with migraine and not CH so the fact we can take them is a bonus and also why some just won't work for us. They are designed primarily to treat a different condition. They all have different half lifes - ie the length of time they will block a hit for and also response times which is why some are considered far to slow to be used as an abortive for CH. Some of these however have proved very effective at blocking attacks and we use them preventatively.

The best ones for CH are Imitrex subcutaneous injections, (or Imigran as it is known in other countries) Zomig nasal sprays and to a lesser extent, Imigran nasal sprays.

Imitrex tablets are completely ineffective for CH both as an abortive or a preventative treatment. They take up to 2 hours to kick in and have a half life of just two hours so - I rest my case!

Imigran injections will take effect in usually around 5-10 minutes. They do only have a half life of two hours as previously mentioned so will not protect against further hits. They are the fastest acting triptan and the recommended dose is no more than 2 in 24 hours.

Zomig Nasal Sprays work in ten to fifteen minutes so slightly slower however they do have the advantage of up to an eight hour half life. There have been many studies lately and the respected advice now is that it is safe, with advice from your own doctor as none of us know your medical history - to take up to 3 of these within 24 hours.

Some people find abotive relief from Maxalt melts and Amerge however that doesn't appear to be the norm.

Amerge and Frovatriptan do have a distinct advantage when used to prevent hits. They are very slow to kick in so ideally should be used if you have regular timed hits so that you can time taking the pills to two hours before a hit is due.

Frovatriptan for instance has a half life of up to 26 hours and you can take two tablets in a twenty four hour period which means if you have a big day coming up, an important meeting or you just need a nights sleep this is good to know about and well worth asking your doctor for some samples.

Please remember that as with all the other meds we use, what works for one of us will not touch the sides for another.

Please never take any meds that aren't prescribed for you expressly as, especially in the case of triptans, this could kill you.

Please also bear in mind that the half lives of all drugs and their response time will vary from person to person dependant on your metabolism, how soon into a hit you take them and various other factors - its only a guide, not a guarantee!

I hope this helps
Helen

Title: Re: Are All Triptans The Same?
Post by Jonny on Aug 11^th, 2007, 6:03am

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d709b3127cce8de7c8dab25900000016108AZM2bNk5bM6

Title: Re: Are All Triptans The Same?
Post by artonio7 on Aug 11^th, 2007, 6:05am

on 08/11/07 at 06:03:55, Jonny wrote:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d709b3127cce8de7c8dab25900000016108AZM2bNk5bM

anyone I should know?

Title: Re: Are All Triptans The Same?
Post by Jonny on Aug 11^th, 2007, 2:03pm

on 08/11/07 at 06:05:57, artonio7 wrote:

anyone I should know?

I dont see your name mentioned anywhere, bro. ;)