What is Reyvow used for and how does it work?

Reyvow (lasmiditan) is an oral prescription medicine used to treat acute migraine headaches in adults (with or without aura). Reyvow is not indicated for prevention of migraine. It is thought Reyvow works by binding and activating serotonin 5-HT(1F) receptors in the brain to help block pain signals involved with a migraine.

Reyvow is classified as an oral serotonin 5-HT(1F) receptor agonist, a newer class of drugs for the acute treatment of migraine. It is classified as a CV controlled substance in the U.S. because it contains lasmiditan, a target for people who abuse prescription medicines or street drugs.

Learn More: Is Reyvow a Controlled Substance by the DEA?

What is an aura?

An aura is an initial symptom, or group of symptoms, that may occur before or during a migraine, such as flashing lights or bright spots, a tingling sensation, trouble talking or hearing noises. Not everyone with a migraine has an aura.

Migraine symptoms can include:

• throbbing pain around the eyes and temples that can last for hours
• nausea
• vomiting
• blurred vision
• greater sensitivity to light and sound
• an aura

How fast does Reyvow work?

Reyvow has been shown to reduce or eliminate migraine pain and other symptoms in 2 hours when compared to a placebo in two placebo-controlled studies. In general, patients experienced 3 to 8 migraine headaches per month prior to enrollment in the studies.

In both studies, the number of patients achieving “pain freedom” and “freedom from the most bothersome symptom” (such as sensitivity to light, sensitivity to sound or nausea) 2 hours after treatment was significantly greater among patients receiving Reyvow at all doses compared to those receiving placebo.

• Pain freedom was defined as a reduction of moderate or severe headache pain to no pain at 2 hours. Freedom from the most bothersome symptom (MBS) was defined as the absence of the symptom (such as sensitivity to light, sensitivity to sound or nausea).
• In over 3,600 adults treated with one dose of Reyvow (50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg) for a moderate or severe migraine headache, about 30% of people (30 out of every 100) were pain free within 2 hours compared to about 20% of people taking a placebo (a pill with no medicine).
• In over 3,300 adults, about 41% of people (41 out of every 100) were free from the most bothersome symptom (such as sensitivity to light, sensitivity to sound or nausea) at 2 hours compared to about 31% of people taking a placebo.

The most common side effects in studies were dizziness, fatigue, paresthesia (a skin tingling or numbness) and sedation (sleepiness).

It is taken at a dose of 50 mg, 100 mg, or 200 mg as needed for migraine (but no more than once per 24 hours). Follow your dosing instructions as prescribed by your doctor.

Reyvow can cause drowsiness. You should not drive or operate machinery until at least 8 hours after taking each dose of Reyvow. If you cannot wait at least 8 hours between taking a dose and driving or operating machinery, do not take this medicine.

This is not all the information you need to know about Reyvow (lasmiditan) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.

Related questions

• What are the new drugs for the treatment of migraine?
• Is Reyvow a controlled substance?
• What are the side effects of beta blockers?