Zavegepant is a white to off-white powder, freely soluble in water, and has pKa values of 4.8 and 8.8. It was approved for medical use in the United States in March 2023.

Class

Calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonists

Uses

Zavegepant, sold under the brand name Zavzpret, is a medication used for the treatment of migraine. Zavegepant is a calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist. It is sprayed into the nose.

Mechanism of Action

Zavzpret is a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist. This means it works by indirectly blocking CGRP, which is a protein that carries pain signals along nerves that cause headache pain. By blocking this protein, Zavzpret can help improve migraine symptoms.

Zavzpret is unique because of how it's given. Zavzpret is administered into the nose as a nasal spray. It generally provides faster pain relief than most medications that are taken by mouth.

Pharmacodynamics

The relationship between pharmacodynamic activity and the mechanism by which zavegepant exerts its clinical effects is unknown. No clinically relevant differences in resting blood pressure were observed when zavegepant was concomitantly administered with sumatriptan (12 mg subcutaneous, given as two 6 mg doses separated by one hour) compared with sumatriptan alone to healthy volunteers.

Side effects

The most common adverse reactions of Zavegepant include taste disorders, nausea, nasal discomfort, and vomiting.

Hepatic Impairment

No dosage adjustment of ZAVZPRET is necessary in patients with mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class A) or moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class B). ZAVZPRET has not been studied in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class C). Avoid use of ZAVZPRET in patients with severe hepatic impairment.