Naratriptan hydrochloride is a selective 5-HT1 receptor subtype agonist and is a triptan drug that is used for the treatment of migraine headaches.Target: 5-HT1 ReceptorNaratriptan is a triptan drug marketed by GlaxoSmithKline and is used for the treatment of migraine headaches. Naratriptan is available in 2.5 mg tablets. It is a selective 5-HT1 receptor subtype agonist. Naratriptan is used for the treatment of the acute migraine attacks and the symptoms of migraine, including severe, throbbing headaches that sometimes are accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to sound or light.The causes of migraine are not clearly understood; however, the efficacy of naratriptans and other triptans is believed to be due to their activity as 5HT (serotonin) agonists.A meta-analysis of 53 clinical trials has shown that all triptans are effective for treating migraine at marketed doses and that naratriptan, although less effective than sumatriptan and rizatriptan was more effective than placebo in reducing migraine symptoms at two hours and efficacy was demonstrated in almost two thirds of subjects after four hours of treatment.
References:
[1]. Connor HE, et al. Naratriptan: biological profile in animal models relevant to migraine. Cephalalgia. 1997 May;17(3):145-52.