Merck's Migraine Treatment Improves Pain in Phase III Study

Using Merck’s investigational drug telcagepant, a Phase III trial showed improvement in patients’ pain and symptom relief from migraines.

After two hours, 300 mg of the drug showed better symptom relief in patients than placebo. The trial also showed similar results as the highest recommended dose of zolmitriptan, an approved migraine therapy.

In the study, 55 percent of patients reported pain relief compared with 56 percent for zolmitriptan and 28 percent with placebo, the company said.