Botox gets backing from UK regulator for the prevention of chronic migraine

12 July 2010

Best known as a wrinkle smoother, Botox (botulinum toxin type A), has been approved as a prescription-only medicine for the preventive treatment for chronic migraine by UK drug regulators, making Britain the first country to clear the product, made by USA-based Allergan, for this indication.

The news saw Allergan's shares, already up 42% in the past 12 months, edge 1.4% higher to $65.49 by close of New York Stock Exchange trading on Friday.

Botox has been licensed on the basis of a trial of more than 1,384 patients which showed success in reducing the frequency of headaches. However, only patients who suffer headaches for at least 15 days a month, half of which come with migraine symptoms, are eligible, the UK's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), said.

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