AbbVie has received approval for a new migraine treatment called AQUIPTA (atogepant) to be used by adults in NHS Scotland, but only under specific conditions. The treatment will be available if a patient has already tried at least two different triptan medications without good results, or if they couldn’t take triptans due to side effects, allergies, or other medical reasons. Additionally, they must have tried non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and paracetamol without finding relief. Once these conditions are met, doctors can prescribe atogepant for acute migraine relief.
This approval comes after positive recommendations from NICE in June 2026 and official marketing authorization from the MHRA in April 2026. Migraine is a common condition affecting around 600,000 adults in Scotland and ranks as the second leading cause of years lived with disability worldwide among people aged 15 to 49.
Many people misunderstand migraine as just a bad headache. However, it involves much more, including severe throbbing head pain that comes back, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. These symptoms can disrupt daily life, making it difficult to work, study, or take care of family. Migraine also carries a heavy emotional toll, with many patients feeling their condition is dismissed or not taken seriously by others.
Rob Music, Chief Executive of the Migraine Trust, shared: “Access to the right migraine treatment is inconsistent across the country, creating unfair differences depending on where someone lives. Many people struggle to find a treatment that works for them or face long delays before seeing a specialist. Having more treatment options is crucial, and we welcome this decision from the SMC as it provides an additional choice for eligible patients.”
Dr. David Watson, a headache specialist at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, added: “Migraine is a common and often disabling neurological condition. While many treatments exist, they don’t work for everyone or may cause side effects. Adding another option like atogepant gives doctors more flexibility to find what works best for each patient.”
The approval is supported by a major clinical study called ECLIPSE. In this study, 24.3% of patients treated with atogepant were free from pain two hours after taking the medication during their first migraine attack, compared to 13.1% of patients who received a placebo. Importantly, no severe side effects occurred in more than 2% of patients during the first attack in the study.
Rachael Millward, Medical Director at AbbVie UK, said: “We’re pleased that the SMC has approved atogepant as a treatment option for eligible migraine patients in Scotland. Migraine is a complex neurological condition that can severely impact daily life, and we are committed to improving care and outcomes for those living with it.”