The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 272 No 7287 p209
21 February 2004

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Guidance on three newer drugs issued in Scotland

Frovatriptan (Migard) has been endorsed by the Scottish Medicines Commission for treatment of headache during migraine attacks. The SMC says that although frovatriptan has a slower onset of action than the most widely prescribed triptan, its effects last as long. It is also cheaper than other triptans.

Two other drugs were accepted for restricted use within NHS Scotland by the SMC this month. Fluvastatin (Lescol/Lescol XL) is endorsed for secondary prevention of coronary events after percutaneous coronary angioplasty. Travoprost (Travatan) can be used to treat raised intraocular pressure in ocular hypertension and open-angle glaucoma. It should be used as monotherapy in patients for whom beta-blockers are not appropriate and in combination with a beta-blocker when the beta-blocker is not effective on its own.