MADRID, 17 ( EUROPA PRESS)
a report of the National Institute for excellence and health clinic of United Kingdom (NICE, its acronym in English) has determined that there is not enough scientific evidence that toxin botulinum or Botox, used in the aesthetic treatments to eliminate wrinkles, can be really effective to treat chronic migraine. United States and Europe gave the green light to this indication in 2010.
Indeed, the NICE, advising the British Government on approval of medicinal products and medical devices, has been requested to pharmaceuticals that produces this drug, Allergan, to present best clinical data that in June you must decide if it authorizes its use in the national health (NHS) service.
“Our independent Committee is asking Allergan to submit information and further as part of this public consultation”, according to Professor Carole Longson, Director of the Center for assessment of technology in health of NICE.
Chronic migraine affects 1.6 per cent of elderly people and those who suffer it, periodically present headaches, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and problems with light and noise. These crises usually last at least 15 days and take place every three months.
For the moment, there is no effective treatment to combat this disease that is why, in 2010, the regulatory authorities of United States and Europe give green light to the type developed by Allergan, which must inject at least 31 points of the head and neck during 12 weeks.
However, last month the NICE decided to revise clinical trials with this therapy to assess its efficacy. In this way, and as reported by the BBC, noted that, “Although clinical trials have shown that it has some benefit, the oxygen level is small and the results are unclear due to a huge placebo effect”.
“This is due to that the persons who participated in the trials could have been noticed that were receiving Botox, widely recognized side effects of the drug, such as muscle paralysis”, points out this agency. Moreover, the long-term effectiveness is also “uncertain”.
In fact, at the moment is unknown how the Botox is used to prevent a chronic migraine, and one of the theories is that, to relax muscles, possibly interrupt the pain signals.
“Without evidence, NO drug will be A good investment”
“We need to have sufficient evidence to establish a solid advice on the use of Botox for the prevention of headaches in adults with chronic migraine,” explains Longson, speaking to Europa Press, that “without this additional evidence, we cannot say to the NHS that the drug is a good investment”.
The decision, say experts, could be very frustrating for those who suffer chronic migraines, that they do not have effective treatments for the disease.
In this sense, Wendy Thomas, of the organization The Migraine Trust, has acknowledged to the BBC that “persons with chronic migraine who receive BOTOX already have tried several preventive treatments that have failed”.
Has also warned that, “Although the drug does not work for everyone, when you do you can change life”.
