In a study conducted on obese mice, a prescribed category of migraine drugs named ‘triptans’ helped in treating obesity. A daily dose of triptans for over a month helped the mice to reduce weight by suppressing their appetite.

Dr. Chen Liu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Internal Medicines and Neuroscience, Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, stated that the drug that is already known to be safe, can be used for appetite suppression and weight loss. He added that triptans are drugs used for treating migraines and cluster headaches by targeting the serotonin 1B receptor (Htr1b). For the new study, the researchers tested 6 prescription triptans in obese mice that were fed a high-fat diet for seven weeks. The mice that fed on the drug Frovatriptan lost 3.6 % of their body weight in comparison to the other five prescription drugs in 24 days. In the placebo group, the mice gained an average of 5.1% of their body weight. Dr. Liu and his team observed similar results when they implanted devices into the mice that gave them a steady dose of frovatriptan for 24 days. The researchers also determined that the mice without the Htr1b receptor did not show any loss of appetite or weight reduction when provided with frovatriptan.

Dr. Liu stated that since triptans are generally prescribed for short-term use during migraines, patients would not have noticed the long-term impact on their appetite and weight.

(Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/migraine-drugs-might-be-beneficial-for-weight-loss-study-101658036156030.html