light( 51 % versus 36 %), and headache pain relief( 53 % versus 29 %). The most common side effects reported by the patients on the active drug were pain, tingling, itching, warmth, discomfort, or a change in the skin color at the application site of Zecuity ®.
Vincent Martin, MD, Vice President of the National Headache Foundation noted:“ Zecuity ® has a novel drug delivery system that bypasses the stomach and small intestine, and allows absorption of the drug directly into the blood stream through the skin. It is first of its kind! Generally, sumatriptan produces side effects such as pins and needles of the skin, neck tightness, flushing, and chest pain. One of the advantages of Zecuity ® is that these side effects rarely occur. It is a very good medication for those migraine patients who vomit or have severe nausea during their headache attacks.” Patients who should avoid the system include those with: a history of heart problems; history of stroke, transient ischemic attacks( TIAs), or problems with circulation; narrowing of blood vessels in the legs, arms, stomach, or kidney( peripheral vascular disease); uncontrolled high blood pressure; severe liver problems; a diagnosis of hemiplegic or basilar migraine; and, an allergy to sumatriptan. The Zecuity ® system should not be used if you have taken another triptan within the last 24 hours. The triptans include sumatriptan, almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, and rizatriptan. It should be avoided if, in the past 24 hours, you have taken the combination agent of sumatriptan and naproxen, any ergotamines, or dihydroergotamine( DHE).
While the Zecuity ® system is applied, the patient should not bathe, shower, or swim. Since the drug can cause dizziness, weakness, or drowsiness, patients wearing the system should not drive, use machinery, or any other situation where you need to be alert. Because the system contains metal parts, it would need to be removed before a patient underwent an MRI procedure.
The most common side effects of Zecuity ® are pain, tingling, warmth, discomfort, or a change in the skin color at the application site of the system. Patients may note some skin redness after removing the system from the skin. This redness usually disappears after 24 hours. Allergic contact dermatitis is a serious skin reaction which may occur at the application site. As with other sumatriptan preparations, the Zecuity ® system may cause serious side effects such as: heart attack or other heart problems; stomach and intestinal problems; changes in color or sensation in the fingers and toes; increases in blood pressure; seizures( in patients without any seizure history); and, problems with blood circulation to the legs and feet.
This drug should not be used if you are also using antidepressants called SSRIs or SNRIs as it may cause the Serotonin Syndrome which is rare but serious. Symptoms of the Serotonin Syndrome include mental changes such as hallucinations, agitation, and coma; rapid heart beat; changes in blood pressure; high body temperature; tight muscles; difficulty walking; or, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Frequent use of the system may lead to Medication Overuse Headaches. Patients should communicate any adverse effects to their health care provider, and also report on the effectiveness of the drug.
The addition of Zecuity ® to the armamentarium of migraine therapies is welcome. As noted by Roger Cady, MD, Associate Executive Chairperson of the NHF:
“ Zecuity is a unique product that uses a tiny electrical current to drive sumatriptan across the skin and directly into the blood stream. Sumatriptan delivery occurs even in the presence of nausea. Also, Zecuity ® is well-tolerated and there is a low incidence of the typical triptan-associated side effects. It will be a useful therapeutic tool for many people seeking better treatment of their migraine.” HW
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