Efficacy and tolerability of MK-0974 (telcagepant), a new oral antagonist of calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor, compared with zolmitriptan for acute migraine: a randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel-treatment trial.
BACKGROUND
Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) probably has a role in migraine pathophysiology, and antagonism of its receptors might provide treatment without the vasoconstrictor effects of triptans. We aimed to assess the clinical profile of MK-0974 (telcagepant), an orally bioavailable antagonist of CGRP receptor.


METHODS
In a randomised, parallel-treatment, placebo-controlled, double-blind, trial at 81 sites in the Europe and the USA, adults with migraine diagnosed by International Headache Society criteria treated moderate or severe attacks with either oral telcagepant 150 mg or 300 mg, zolmitriptan 5 mg, or placebo. The five co-primary endpoints were pain freedom, pain relief, or absence of photophobia, phonophobia, or nausea at 2 h after treatment. Analysis was by the full analysis set and multiplicity was controlled for with a step-down closed-testing procedure. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00442936.


RESULTS
1380 patients were randomly assigned to receive telcagepant 150 mg (n=333) or 300 mg (354), zolmitriptan (345), or placebo (348). Telcagepant 300 mg was more effective than placebo for pain freedom (95 [27%] of 353 patients vs 33 [10%] of 343 [p<0.0001]), pain relief (194 [55%] of 353 vs 95 [28%] of 343 [p<0.0001]), and absences of phonophobia (204 [58%] of 353 vs 126 [37%] of 342 [p<0.0001]), photophobia (180 [51%] of 353 vs 99 [29%] of 342 [p<0.0001]), and nausea (229 [65%] of 352 vs 189 [55%] of 342 [p=0.0061]). Efficacy of telcagepant 300 mg and zolmitriptan 5 mg were much the same, and both were more effective than telcagepant 150 mg. Adverse events were recorded for 31% taking telcagepant 150 mg, 37% taking telcagepant 300 mg, 51% taking zolmitriptan 5 mg, and 32% taking placebo.


CONCLUSIONS
Telcagepant 300 mg is effective as an acute treatment for migraine with efficacy comparable to that of zolmitriptan 5 mg, but with fewer associated adverse effects.


BACKGROUND
Merck Research Laboratories.
Ho
Tony W
TW
Merck Research Laboratories, North Wales, PA 19454-1099, USA. tony_ho@merck.com
Ferrari
Michel D
MD
Dodick
David W
DW
Galet
Vince
V
Kost
James
J
Fan
Xiaoyin
X
Leibensperger
Heather
H
Froman
Samar
S
Assaid
Christopher
C
Lines
Christopher
C
Koppen
Hille
H
Winner
Paul K
PK
D000328:Adult; D001381:Azepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000502:physiology; D000077221:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Receptor Antagonists; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D023303:Oxazolidinones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014363:Tryptamines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D001381:Azepines; D000077221:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Receptor Antagonists; D007093:Imidazoles; D023303:Oxazolidinones; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D014363:Tryptamines; C089750:zolmitriptan; C525458:telcagepant; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide