frovatriptan

Frovatriptan is a medication in the triptan class used for the acute treatment of migraine in adults. It is a selective agonist of the 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptors.

Its mechanism involves binding to receptors on intracranial blood vessels and presynaptic trigeminal nerve endings, leading to vasoconstriction and reduced release of pain‑producing neuropeptides. This helps diminish migraine pain and associated symptoms. Frovatriptan has a relatively slow onset compared with some other triptans but a long duration of action, contributing to lower relapse rates in some patients.

Frovatriptan is administered orally as a 2.5 mg tablet. If symptoms persist, a second dose may be taken at least 2 hours after the first, with a maximum of 7.5 mg in 24 hours (three tablets). It reaches peak concentrations in about 2–4 hours. The drug is primarily excreted by the kidneys and undergoes hepatic metabolism to a lesser extent.

Indications include the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults. It is not used for migraine prevention. For best results, it should be taken at the onset of a migraine attack rather than during sustained headache.

Contraindications include ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, and hypersensitivity to frovatriptan. Caution is advised in hepatic or renal impairment. Interactions include avoiding concomitant use with ergot-containing medicines or with other triptans within 24 hours due to vasospasm risk. Common adverse effects include dizziness, fatigue, nausea, chest tightness, and malaise; serious adverse events are rare. Pregnancy data are limited, so use during pregnancy should be considered only if clearly needed.