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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> Frova
        
(Message started by: r_headache on Aug 10^th, 2004, 9:52am)

Title: Frova
Post by r_headache on Aug 10^th, 2004, 9:52am

I did a search on this site about Frova and didn't find anything new so I'm posting some of my personal reactions to this drug. I have been suffering from CHs for about ten years now. Finally about two years ago I was referred to an excellent nero that listened to my story and said "yep, you have clusters." She then put me on verap and also told me to take one frova a day as a preventive and if I get hit by the beast then take one Imatrex shot (and don't do any more). I found the verap didn't do much for me so I stopped taking it but the Frova worked wonders!! I would still get hit once or twice a week while in cycle and at that point the Imatrex sent the beast running in minutes.
It seems from my reading that very few CH suffers are taking Frova as a preventive. Just wondering why?

Rick

Title: Re: Frova
Post by synergy2120 on Aug 10^th, 2004, 10:06am

What dose of verapamil were you on? You need to get up to a dose of 960mg a day to have effect.

Ive never heard of the other drug - do you know what it is called in England?

Title: Re: Frova
Post by r_headache on Aug 10^th, 2004, 10:16am

verap: only 240mg 2X per day.

Frova: Frovatriptan Sucinate

Title: Re: Frova
Post by IndianaJohn on Aug 10^th, 2004, 10:56am

Have to disagree with you sarah, 480mg of verap can be effective. It has in the past for me. Unfortunatley, I listened to my GP and kept taking it out of cycle, so it's lost its effectiveness during this one.

Title: Re: Frova
Post by synergy2120 on Aug 10^th, 2004, 11:31am

Sorry to hear that John. Marcs still only on 120mg a day at the moment- gotta fight with the docs on this again !

Title: Re: Frova
Post by Prense on Aug 10^th, 2004, 11:51am

on 08/10/04 at 10:06:34, synergy2120 wrote:

What dose of verapamil were you on? You need to get up to a dose of 960mg a day to have effect.

You need to be at the lowest dosage that is effective...

Chris

Title: Re: Frova
Post by UN_SOLVED on Aug 10^th, 2004, 12:04pm

I tried Frova as a preventative while at MHNI and it did NOT help.

Still rely on ol' faithful ~ Imitrex injections !

Unsolved

PS. Don't think i've heard of a doctor giving approval to a patient to mix Triptans before. Better be careful !

Unsolved

Title: Re: Frova
Post by ex_pat_asia on Aug 10^th, 2004, 12:35pm

on 08/10/04 at 12:04:54, UN_SOLVED wrote:

PS. Don't think i've heard of a doctor giving approval to a patient to mix Triptans before. Better be careful !
Unsolved

Nor have I and it is a point to question. It is contrary to any of the literature but perhaps the dosage is low enough for the Dr. to feel there is little risk. I am also a bit leery about triptans as a preventative, though lord knows I have done it when in stuations where I just could not stand the disruption of an attack and new one was looming.

Title: Re: Frova
Post by r_headache on Aug 10^th, 2004, 1:24pm

I agree about not mixing triptans, I have learned a couple of things while reading posts here for the last two years. ::)

I did ask my nero about the mixing and the dangers and she said as long as I didn't go over the one Frova pill and two Imatrex injections (full) in a 24 hr period I would be fine....and she was correct! I did on two occasions go the max and was fine without any side effects. Before the nero put me on Frova when I was in cycle you could set a watch to my timetable and guarantee the level of attack (kip 8-10). Now the I have the Frova I only need the injections on rare occasions. I’m not trying to push Frova on anyone, I have heard some say it can cause nasty rebound HA. I’m just surprised with all of the different meds and experiences in this family that few have tried it.

Rick