Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol. 2011 Sep 20.
Pharmacokinetic evaluation of frovatriptan.
Negro A, Lionetto L, Casolla B, Lala N, Simmaco M, Martelletti P.
SourceSapienza University, Regional Referral Headache Center, School of Health Sciences , Department of Medical and Molecular Sciences, Rome , Italy.

Abstract
Introduction: Migraine is the most common painful neurological disorder, affecting 13% of the general population. Triptans represent a powerful pharmacological tool in acute migraine treatment, however, a significant portion of treated patients cannot have access to this class due to possible adverse affects. Today, a total of seven triptan molecules are available, representing a commonly prescribed migraine treatment. Although there is a need of extensive use of triptans, only 25% of migraine patients are using triptans. Areas covered: This review includes triptans and evidence for the use of frovatriptan. A systematic approach is used to discuss the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic aspects of frovatriptan, considering the emerging data on the clinical efficacy of frovatriptan in the treatment of migraine and cluster headaches. The data were obtained by searching the following key words in MEDLINE: pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, triptans, frovatriptan, migraine, menstrual migraine, relatively to the period 1988 - 2011.

Expert opinion: Frovatriptan has been developed in order to improve safety and efficacy of triptans. It shows a favorable tolerability and efficacy profile, limited to 24/48-h headache recurrence, when compared with other triptans. Preclinical data suggest that the pharmacokinetic profile of frovatriptan may differ from other available triptans.

IN FACT, AMONG TRIPTANS, FROVATRIPTAN SHOWED THE HIGHEST POTENCY AT THE 5-HT1B RECEPTOR (8.2) AND THE LONGER HALF-LIFE (26 H). THESE PARAMETERS DETERMINE THE CLINICAL PROPERTIES OF FROVATRIPTAN; IN PARTICULAR THE LOWEST RATE OF HEADACHE RECURRENCE IN COMPARISON WITH OTHER TRIPTANS.

PMID:21929465[PubMed]

Hi Bob

Interesting- I always found Frova a very useful part of my CH armoury- better than other triptans in some circumstances

W

Frova for me was like taking an aspirin. It just was not nearly fast enough nor strong enough and it made me feel a little sick afterwards.

The ONLY Triptan that ever helped me was Imitrex injections. But I am glad that it helps some :)

Frova works very good for me as an additional preventive medication, additional to the verapamil during really bad times, when the verapamil does not seem to work any more. This summer I used frovatriptan daily for appr. 4 month. Daily dose range 2 - 4 x 2.5mg. Six weeks I was on 4 x 2.5mg/day, 1 tablet taken about every six hours. Please check with your doc before making any experiments like this!