Inhaled drug therapy development for the treatment of migraine

Introduction: The inhalation of substances, both medicinally and recreationally, is a commonly used method of drug administration but has been underutilized in the treatment of neurologic disorders such as migraine. Three drugs have been studied as potential inhalable treatments for acute migraine: dihydroergotamine (MAP0004), prochlorperazine (Staccato prochlorperazine), and loxapine (Staccato loxapine).

Areas covered: This review discusses the available literature describing the pharmacokinetics, tolerability and efficacy of MAP0004, Staccato prochlorperazine and Staccato loxapine, including data from Phase II and Phase III clinical trials.

Expert opinion: Inhaled DHE offers rapid absorption with a pharmacokinetic profile similar to IV administration. Improved side effect profile results from more selective binding at antimigraine serotonergic receptors 5-HT_1B and 5-HT_1D. Inhaled prochlorperazine is rapidly absorbed and resulted in statistically significant migraine pain relief at 2 hours compared to placebo but is not currently being pursued by the manufacturer as a potential migraine abortive. Inhaled loxapine is also rapidly absorbed into systemic circulation but Phase IIb trials did not show statistically improved pain relief or pain freedom compared to placebo. MAP0004 will likely provide a good alternative to patients seeking rapid relief without the need for injection or other invasive routes.