Frovatriptan, sold under the brand name Frova, is a
triptan
Triptans are a family of tryptamine-based drugs used as abortive medication in the treatment of migraines and cluster headaches. This drug class was first commercially introduced in the 1990s. While effective at treating individual headaches, th ...
drug
A drug is any chemical substance that causes a change in an organism's physiology or psychology when consumed. Drugs are typically distinguished from food and substances that provide nutritional support. Consumption of drugs can be via inhal ...
developed by
Vernalis for the treatment of
migraine
Migraine (, ) is a common neurological disorder characterized by recurrent headaches. Typically, the associated headache affects one side of the head, is pulsating in nature, may be moderate to severe in intensity, and could last from a few ho ...
headache
Headache is the symptom of pain in the face, head, or neck. It can occur as a migraine, tension-type headache, or cluster headache. There is an increased risk of depression in those with severe headaches.
Headaches can occur as a resul ...
s
and for short term prevention of
menstrual migraine.
The product is licensed to
Endo Pharmaceuticals in North America and
Menarini
The Menarini Group is an Italian pharmaceutical company. Its headquarters is in Florence, Tuscany, and it has three divisions: Menarini Ricerche, Menarini Biotech, and Menarini Diagnostics. It develops pharmacological solutions for cardiovascular ...
in Europe.
Medical uses
Frovatriptan is used in the treatment of
migraine
Migraine (, ) is a common neurological disorder characterized by recurrent headaches. Typically, the associated headache affects one side of the head, is pulsating in nature, may be moderate to severe in intensity, and could last from a few ho ...
.
Available forms
It is available as 2.5 mg tablets.
Contraindications
Frovatriptan should not be given to patients with:
* Ischemic heart disease
* Cerebrovascular syndrome
* Peripheral vascular disease
* Uncontrolled hypertension
* Hemiplegic or basilar migraine
Side effects
Rare, but serious cardiac events have been reported in patients with risk factors predictive of CAD. These include: coronary artery vasospasm, transient myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction,