Teva’s Migraine Therapy Found To Reduce Depression Symptoms 

Israeli pharma giant Teva Pharmaceuticals has announced that its migraine treatment AJOVY has been found to also reduce symptoms of depression.

AJOVY halts the activity of the protein CGRP, which causes inflammation and the widening of blood vessels in the brain. At the onset of a migraine, an individual has high levels of CGRP in their bloodstream, leading scientists to believe that the protein plays a key role in causing the neurological disease.

Results from a new study conducted by the company found that their AJOVY jab not only reduced the participants’ number of monthly migraine days (MMD), but their symptoms of depression as well.

Patients treated with AJOVY had a reduction in MDD for 5.1 days, compared to 2.9 days for patients treated with a placebo. The patients treated with AJOVY also experienced less severe depression symptoms than the patients treated with a placebo, as indicated by clinician-administered depression assessment scales.  

According to the American Migraine Foundation, a person who suffers from migraines is about five times more likely to develop depression than someone who does not. 

“Patients who suffer from migraine and mental health disorders such as depression face a far greater burden than those suffering from either migraine or depression alone,” said Dr Verena Ramirez Campos, Global Senior Medical Director at Teva.

“[The study’s results] provide further insights into the potential efficacy, safety, and quality of life benefits of AJOVY for people with migraine and major depressive disorder.”