FDA Has Approved A New Medication Treatment For Migraines In Adults

Updated Feb 6, 2025 | 05:09 PM IST

SummaryMany people use the terms ‘migraine’ and ‘headache’ interchangeably. This leads many people to believe that migraines are not as serious as people make them out to be, and that cannot be more wrong, migraines have a major effect on a person’s lifestyle and the new approved medication may prove to be a great relief!
(Credit-Canva)

(Credit-Canva)

Headaches are a common symptom of a stressful lifestyle, your body not feeling well and other issues. While headaches can be dealt with easily, migraines are not so easy to handle. Migraines are a type of headache that feels like severe throbbing and pulsing sensation, almost like you are hearing your own heartbeat in your brain, usually on one side of the brain. Many people believe that migraines are not that big of a deal because you just have to deal with the pain, but that is not all migraine is, some people find it very difficult to do their daily tasks as they experience dizzying spells, nausea and extreme sensitivity to light and sound! These attacks can last hours and make it difficult for people to go about their daily lives as well. While there are medications available for migraine patients, these medications need time to take effect, so you may be in a lot of pain, but there are not many quick reliefs you can have in place other than learning the symptoms of a migraine attack and taking medication before it happens. But a new approval by the FDA may change this!

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Symbravo, a new medicine to treat acute migraine attacks in adults. This means adults can now use Symbravo to get relief from their migraine symptoms. The FDA's decision was based on the results of three big studies, called Phase 3 trials. These trials involved over 21,000 migraine attacks, so the FDA has a lot of information about how well Symbravo works and how safe it is. The FDA only approves medicines that have been shown to be both safe and effective through a thorough testing process.

Importance of New Treatment Option

"Migraine attacks can happen suddenly and really mess up people's lives. It's estimated that over 39 million people in the U.S. alone get migraines," said Herriot Tabuteau, M.D., CEO of Axsome Therapeutics told US News. This shows how common migraines are and how important it is to have good treatments. "Symbravo gives patients and doctors a new option that can quickly stop a migraine attack, keep it away, and let people get back to their normal activities, all with just one dose." Having a medicine that can give fast and long-lasting relief from migraine pain is a big deal for millions of people. This new treatment is a real step forward in how we treat migraines.

Symbravo Trial Results, How Was It Approved

The trials took place in 3 steps, the Momentum trial study focused on people whose migraines had moderate to severe pain. The results showed that a lot more people taking Symbravo felt pain-free two hours after taking the medicine compared to those who took a placebo which is a dummy pill. Even better, many people felt relief for up to 24 and even 48 hours after just one dose. This long-lasting relief is really important for people with migraines because it means they can get back to their normal lives without worrying about the pain coming back. The study also looked at how many people were free from their worst symptom, like sensitivity to light or sound, or nausea. Symbravo worked better than the placebo in this area too.

While the intercept trial looked at people who took Symbravo when their migraine pain was still mild. Even when the pain was just starting, Symbravo was effective. The results were similar to the MOMENTUM trial, with many people getting pain relief and relief from their worst symptoms. Treating migraines early is often better because it can stop the pain from getting really bad.

And lastly the Movement trial which was to see how safe the medication is when people take it regularly. This study followed 706 people who had at least two migraines a month. The most common side effects people experienced were sleepiness and dizziness. While these side effects are important to know about, the study showed that Symbravo is generally safe for people to use on a regular basis.

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Amgen & AstraZeneca's New Treatment Combination Cuts Advanced Lung Cancer Death Risk By 58% In Trial

Updated Oct 25, 2026 | 11:00 AM IST

SummaryThe Phase 3 clinical trial of combination treatment for advanced lung cancer made by Amgen and AstraZeneca showed promise in reducing death risk.
Amgen & AstraZeneca's New Treatment Combination Cuts Advanced Lung Cancer Death Risk By 58% In  Trial

Credit: AI

A combination of two cancer drugs cut the risk of death by 58% in people who have advanced small cell lung cancer, an aggressive form of the disease, according to results from a Phase 3 clinical trial.

The combination pairs Imdelltra (tarlatamab), developed by Amgen, with Imfinzi (durvalumab), an immunotherapy made by AstraZeneca.

In the DeLLphi-305 trial, patients who received both drugs lived a median of 21.1 months, compared to 12.7 months among those who received Imfinzi alone.

The findings were presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress in Madrid on October 24, 2026, and published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

More About Imdelltra-Imfinzi Trial

Also read: 1 In 5 US Lung Cancer Patients Never Smoked: Report Highlights Hidden Risk Factors

The results indicated that using tarlatamab earlier in treatment could be beneficial. It is currently approved in the United States for adults with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer that has progressed during or after platinum-based chemotherapy.

The trial examined its application as a maintenance treatment after patients had completed initial chemotherapy and immunotherapy without their cancer progressing.

“For a disease where durable survival has remained extremely difficult to achieve, the magnitude and consistency of benefit in DeLLphi-305 are striking,” said Jacob Sands, an associate chief of the Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and an investigator in the trial.

The Phase 3 trial included 563 patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer whose disease had not progressed after initial treatment with Imfinzi, platinum-based chemotherapy and etoposide. The main findings were:

- 58% lower risk of death: The combination reduced the risk of death compared to Imfinzi alone.

- 21.1 months median overall survival: This compared to 12.7 months in the Imfinzi-only group.

- Nearly 80% alive at one year: About 79% of patients receiving the combination were alive after 12 months, compared to 53% of those receiving Imfinzi alone.

- 66% lower risk of progression or death: Median progression-free survival was 7.4 months with the combination, versus 1.9 months with Imfinzi alone.

These results indicate that the combination improved both overall survival and the time patients lived without their cancer progressing.

More About The Two Drugs

Also read: 'I Never Recovered From That Crash': US Physicist Recalls Her Years-Long Battle With Long COVID

Imdelltra, also known as tarlatamab, is a bispecific antibody that brings immune system T cells into contact with cancer cells, helping the immune system recognise and attack them.

Imfinzi, or durvalumab, blocks the PD-L1 protein, which some cancer cells misuse to evade immune attack.

The two drugs therefore target different aspects of the immune response. Researchers hope that combining them will improve the body's ability to control the cancer.

Jay Bradner, Amgen's executive vice-president of research and development, said, “These results represent an unprecedented advance for patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, demonstrating a magnitude of survival benefit rarely seen in this aggressive disease.”

Side effects related to grade 3 or higher treatment occurred in 20.9% of the patients who received the combination, compared to 10.8% of those receiving Imfinzi alone.

Cytokine release syndrome, an inflammatory reaction caused by immune system activation, occurred in 49.6% of patients who received Imdelltra. Most cases were mild or moderate, and one was classified as severe. No deaths were reported.

The findings provide evidence that adding tarlatamab to maintenance immunotherapy can extend survival in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. The researchers also reported benefits among patients with brain or liver metastases.

Despite promising findings, researchers say that the trial focused on a particular cancer type and treatment. Regulatory authorities will need to examine the evidence adopting this combination for earlier stage of treatment.

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Cannabis Legalisation Linked To More Heart Attacks, Heart Failure Hospitalisations: Study Based On 50Mn Records

Updated Oct 23, 2026 | 10:00 PM IST

SummaryA study published in BMJ Open stated that hospitalisations in western United States related to cardiovascular conditions increased after recreational marijuana was legalised.
Cannabis Legalisation Linked To More Heart Attacks, Heart Failure Hospitalisations: Study Based On 50Mn Records

Credit: AI

The legalisation of recreational marijuana in the United States may have led to increase in hospitalisations for multiple cardiovascular hospitalisations, including heart attacks, heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms, according to a new study published in BMJ Open.

Researchers studied more than 50 million hospital records from 2012 to 2018 and compared cardiovascular hospitalisation patterns in the western United States, where recreational cannabis sales began earlier, with trends in other regions.

They found that hospital admissions for three cardiovascular conditions increased faster in the West after legalisation, sparking questions about the health consequences of legalising recreational marijuana.

The study, titled Cannabis legalisation and cardiovascular hospitalisations in the United States: nationwide difference-in-differences analysis, 2012–2018, was led by Samuel D. Slavin and colleagues.

It analysed records of hospitalisations for acute heart failure, heart attacks, atrial fibrillation, ischaemic stroke, venous thromboembolism and ventricular tachycardia.

Cardiovascular Hospitalisations Increased After Marijuana Legalisation

Also read: Trump Administration Reclassifies Marijuana As A Schedule 3 Drug, Moving It Closer To Prescription Painkillers

The analysis found that, for each additional year of recreational cannabis sales in the western region, hospitalisation rates rose faster than in other regions for these three heart conditions:

  • Atrial fibrillation: approximately 2.3% faster per year.
  • Heart failure: approximately 3.7% faster per year.
  • Heart attacks: approximately 3.1% faster per year.

Atrial fibrillation is an abnormal heart rhythm that can increase the risk of stroke. Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump blood effectively to meet the body's needs, while a heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked.

Hospitalisation rates for the other conditions also increased, but the differences were not as significant. The researchers say that their study addresses a gap in existing research.

“While several studies have examined the association of recreational cannabis legalisation on psychiatric conditions, substance use, emergency visits, and traffic accidents, ours is the first study to examine the association with cardiovascular hospitalisations,” they wrote.

Cannabis And Heart Health

Cannabis contains compounds that can affect the cardiovascular system. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), its main psychoactive component, can increase heart rate and affect blood pressure.

Researchers have also examined links between cannabis use, blood vessel function and blood clot formation. However, cardiovascular effects may vary depending on the product, frequency of use and method of consumption.

The study suggests that legalisation may have wider health implications because it can change the availability and use of cannabis products across a population. However, the researchers did not directly state that cannabis use caused the hospitalisations observed.

The findings show an association between legalisation and changing hospitalisation trends, not cause and effect proof.

The analysis compared regional hospitalisation patterns rather than tracking individual cannabis users. Researchers could not distinguish between different methods of cannabis consumption, examine trends separately for each state or fully account for changes in illegal cannabis use.

The authors said, “While an observational study cannot prove causality, our findings point to potential adverse effects of recreation legalisation on population health.”

They added, “Globally, our findings support a cautious approach to legalisation laws accompanied by data collection on [cardiovascular] outcomes.”

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Swiss Team Including Indian Scientists Develops Electric Implant To Lower Blood Sugar Without Insulin Or Drugs

Updated Oct 23, 2026 | 06:00 PM IST

SummaryResearchers from ETH Zurich's Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering recently developed an electric implant that lowered blood sugar in diabetic and obese mice.
Swiss Team Including Indian Scientists Develops Electric Implant To Lower Blood Sugar Without Insulin Or Drugs

Credit: Ai

A research team in Switzerland, including Indian scientists, has developed an USB-sized electric implantable device that lowers blood sugar by converting excess glucose into a substance the body can eliminate.

The technology, tested in mice with diabetes and obesity, may offer a new way to managing blood glucose without relying on insulin or other glucose-lowering drugs, sparking hope for people with diabetes to live drug-free, healthier lives.

The findings were published in the journal Science on October 22, 2026, in a study titled Wireless Electrocatalytic Closed-Loop System for Drug-Free Management of Diabetes.

The research was spearheaded by Martin Fussenegger, professor of biotechnology and bioengineering, ETH Zurich's Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering.

Fussenegger described the approach as a departure from conventional diabetes treatment.

“For decades, we have treated diabetes by telling the body how to manage glucose. We are now showing that we can take control of glucose directly, using electronics rather than drugs,” he told Science. “And the catalyst only activates when glucose levels are too high.”

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How Does The Electric Implant Work?

The device, called ECHO (Electrocatalytic Closed-loop Health Optimization), uses a catalyst made from graphite felt, gold nanoclusters and tiny platinum particles which is powered electrically.

Unlike treatment methods that use living cells or enzymes, this device uses an electrochemical reaction to get rid of excess glucose.

“The drug-free mode of action is relevant because current pharmacological therapies can be limited by adverse effects, tolerability, adherence, cost, and unresolved long-term safety questions,” the researchers wrote in Science.

When activated, the catalyst converts glucose into gluconate, a substance that the body can process and eliminate through urine. This removes some glucose from the body's normal metabolic process.

The implant works with a glucose monitor that tracks glucose levels continuously. When readings increase beyond a certain limit, the sensor communicates with a smartphone or control unit, which wirelessly activates the implant. The system switches off when glucose levels return to normal.

“At the current stage of the technology, we’ve demonstrated through lab experiments glucose clearance in approximately five litres of liquid, comparable to the typical blood volume in an adult human,” Maity, a postdoctoral researcher at ETH, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, told The Telegraph.

Also read: High-Fibre Diet Outperforms Metformin In Blood Sugar Control And Weight Loss, Study Finds

Tested On Diabetic And Obese Mice

In mice with type 2 diabetes and obesity, the implant brought elevated blood glucose into the normal range within an hour of activation. Repeated treatment maintained glucose control for six weeks. The treated mice also showed reductions in body weight and triglyceride levels, without dropping the blood sugar excessively.

Fussenegger said the device operated at a low voltage, adding, “Our experiments showed no evidence of tissue damage from either electrical or thermal effects.

Maity said, "These are proof-of-concept experiments in lab mice. We would need to refine the technology and make the device even smaller before human trials."

José M. Ordovás, a senior scientist at Tufts University who was not involved in the research, described the work as an “ingenious and well-developed piece of work as a proof of concept.”

He also said that the small animal study cannot capture the complexity of diabetes and obesity in humans. Long-term safety and the effects of gluconate processing, especially in people with poor kidney function, need more research.

What Happens Next?

The researchers have not tested the implant in humans yet. So its safety, effectiveness and durability in people still remain unknown. The kidneys' ability to eliminate gluconate will also be an important factor in future research.

Maity said that future research will focus on making the implant smaller and integrating it with an electrical power source like a wireless charging system and a glucose device that monitors blood sugar levels continuously.

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