Nasal Powder for Migraine Relief Gets FDA Approval

The FDA has approved sumatriptan nasal powder (Onzetra Xsail/Avanir Pharmaceuticals) for treating of adults suffering from acute migraines with or without aura.

The low dose (22mg) of sumatriptan powder is delivered through the Xsail Breath Powered Delivery Device.

According to Roger K. Cady, MD, director of the Headache Care Center and associate executive chairman of the National Headache Foundation, “The Xsail Breath Powered Delivery Device allows the medication to be deposited deep into the nose, an area hat is rich with blood vessels. B delivering the medication here, Onzetra Xsail provides targeted and efficient delivery with the potential for fast, consistent relief, while also limited the amount of medicine that goes down the back of the throat.”

Onzetra is not indicated for migraine attack prevention and is contraindicated in patients with a history of stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), or history of hemiplegic or basilar migraine, peripheral vascular disease, ischemic bowel disease, or uncontrolled hypertension.

The most commonly reported adverse events included abnormal taste, nasal discomfort, rhinorrhea, and rhinitis

Stewart Tepper, MD, professor of neurology at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth University, remarked in a news release, “While there are many acute migraine treatment options available, more than 70% of patients are not fully satisfied with their current migraine treatment. Given this high dissatisfaction, there remains an unmet need to provide patients with fast-acting, well tolerating therapies that deliver consistent relief.”