Lasmiditan for the treatment of acute migraine: a review and potential role in clinical practice

Now that the vascular hypothesis of migraine is no longer the prevailing theory of migraine pathogenesis, there is interest in developing acute migraine treatments that act exclusively on non-vascular targets. There is a large percentage of non-responders to current acute migraine treatments and the vasoconstriction associated with triptans limit their use in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular risk factors. Preferential 5-HT(1F) agonists have shown promising results in in vitro and early proof-of-concept trials. Lasmiditan, a highly selective 5-HT(1F) agonist, has completed two Phase III randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials, with a third – a long-term, open-label safety study – still underway. Research to date suggests lasmiditan lacks vasoconstrictive properties and may be a safe and effective treatment option in patients refractory to current acute migraine medications or who have cardiovascular risk factors.