So Far So Good With Tezampenel Second Clinical Trial
It takes ages for any new drug to be released to the public, partially because there must be a few clinical trials to run and analyise. Things are looking good for Tezampanel, the hoped for drug for acute migraines, though, as it has passed it’s second clinical trial. 78.2% of those given the new drug reported a significant reduction in pain within two hours of being given a dose. (Compared to 58% of those who took the placebo — hmm, just what’s in that placebo?) This trial was to see what the best dosage ammount was, and to see how quick the drug reacts. There were 306 volunteer human guinea pigs. Incidently, no reponse was given from the leaders of the actual guinea pig community as to thanking the human guinea pigs, beyond, “It’s about bloody time!”
A third clinical trial is to be held in 2008.
A Bit About Tezampenel
Tezampenel, sure to be the star of a whole slew of really annoying commercials in a few years time, is made by TorreyPines Therapeutics, Inc, as a treatment originally for chronic pain. Later on, Tezampenel seemed to work best on acute migraines (those lovely kinds with sensory amplification, vomiting and functional disability), so that’s what Tezampenel is being focused on.
Before you get too excited, so far the only way of administering Tezampenel is by a needle (subcutaneously). The ideal dosage seems to be 40mg per 24 hours. The goals for Tezampenel is to make it just as powerful (if not more so) than current migraine or painkilling medications, have less side effects and not get the patients addicted to it.
So far, the side effects seem to be pain at where the needle went in, dry mouth, dizziness and somnolence. TorreyPines announced that those were also, curiously enough, the side effects of those participating in the trial that were given a placebo.
Until then, I guess those with acute migraines are advised to ask for that placebo. (That was a joke! If you have migraines, PLEASE go to your doctor for a proper diagnosis). For more about staying healthy, check out Brick O’Neil’s Encouraging Health blog.
Keep on hoping.
November 19th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
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