The Discovery and Development of the Triptans, a Major Therapeutic Breakthrough

• Published in: Headache Vol. 48; no. 5; pp. 685 - 687
• Main Author: Humphrey, Patrick P.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Inc 01.05.2008; Blackwell
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans; Injuries of the limb. Injuries of the spine; Medical sciences; Migraine Disorders - drug therapy; Migraine Disorders - history; Migraine Disorders - physiopathology; Neurology; Receptors, Serotonin - physiology; Serotonin Receptor Agonists - history; Serotonin Receptor Agonists - therapeutic use; Sumatriptan - history; Sumatriptan - therapeutic use; Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents; Tryptamines - history; Tryptamines - therapeutic use; Vascular diseases and vascular malformations of the nervous system; Headache; Nervous system diseases; Pain; Treatment; Central nervous system disease; Neurological disorder; Cerebrovascular disease; Cerebral disorder
• ISSN: 0017-8748; 1526-4610
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2008.01097.x

The drug discovery programs that led to the development of the triptans were determined by the membership of the American Headache Society to be the most important breakthrough in headache medicine in the last 50 years. Dr. Humphrey, who spearheaded the drug discovery, recounts the pioneering work that took place and examines its therapeutic impact.