(British Approved Name, rINN)
Drug Nomenclature
International Nonproprietary Names (INNs) in main languages (French, Latin, Russian, and Spanish):
Synonyms: Frovatriptán; Frovatriptaani; Frovatriptan; Frovatriptanum; SB-209509AX (frovatriptan or frovatriptan succinate); VML-251 (frovatriptan or frovatriptan succinate)Frovatriptan Succinate
(British Approved Name Modified, US Adopted Name, rINNM)
Drug Nomenclature
INNs in main languages (French, Latin, Russian, and Spanish):
Adverse Effects and Precautions
As for Sumatriptan.
Frovatriptan should not be used in patients with severe hepatic impairment. No dosage adjustment is needed in mild or moderate hepatic impairment.
Interactions
As for Sumatriptan.
Fluvoxamine is a potent inhibitor of the cytochrome P450 isoenzyme CYP1A2 and has been shown to increase the blood levels of frovatriptan by 27 to 49%.
Pharmacokinetics
After oral doses, peak plasma-frovatriptan concentrations are attained in 2 to 4 hours, and bioavailability is about 20% in men and 30% in women. Food may delay the time to peak plasma concentrations by about 1 hour. Frovatriptan is 15% protein bound. It is primarily metabolised by the hepatic cytochrome P450 isoenzyme CYP1A2. About 32% of an oral dose is excreted in the urine and 62% in faeces. The plasma elimination half-life of frovatriptan is about 26 hours. Distribution into milk has been found in studies in rats.
Uses and Administration
Frovatriptan is a selective serotonin (5-HT1) agonist with actions and uses similar to those of sumatriptan. It is used for the acute treatment of the headache phase of migraine attacks. It should not be used for prophylaxis. Frovatriptan is given orally as the succinate although doses are expressed in terms of the base; frovatriptan succinate 3.9 mg is equivalent to about 2.5 mg of frovatriptan.
The recommended dose is 2.5 mg; if this is ineffective, a second dose should not be taken for the same attack. If symptoms recur after an initial response, the dose may be repeated after an interval of at least 2 hours. The maximum dose of frovatriptan in 24 hours is 5 mg in the UK although, in the USA, a maximum daily dose of 7.5 mg is allowed.
Migraine. For comparison of the relative benefits of different triptans in migraine, see under Sumatriptan.
Single-ingredient Preparations
Austria: Eumitan;
Germany: Allegro;
Greece: Migard;
Ireland: Frovex;
Netherlands: Fromirex; Migard;
Spain: Forvey; Perlic;
United Kingdom: Migard;
United States: Frova
Jennifer is a clinical pharmacologist. She helps doctors of all medical specialties choose medications. Jennifer consults about drug dosage, interactions, and side effects.