Possible Benefit of GR43175, a Novel 5-HT1-like Receptor Agonist, for the Acute Treatment of Severe Migraine

GR43175, a selective 5-HT1-like agonist, was given as an intravenous infusion in an open dose-ranging study to treat 46 attacks of severe migraine in 34 patients. The highest dose, 2 mg infused over 10 min in 24 severe attacks, resulted in rapid and complete relief of symptoms in 17 attacks (71%) and in improvement to a non-migrainous residual headache in 7 attacks. Treatment was well tolerated, the only adverse effects being transient feelings of heaviness and pressure, predominantly in the head. GR43175 may represent an important advance in the treatment of acute migraine.