NHS England has recommended the use of a once-daily migraine drug that affects around 170,000 patients, according to new guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice).

The drug, sold under the brand name Aquipta and made by AbbVie, will be an alternative for people who have at least four migraine days a month and have tried at least three other treatments without success. .

The drug will also help patients who are unable to receive injectable migraine treatment (which is currently the most effective alternative) for reasons such as allergies or fear of needles.

Health Minister Andrew Stephenson said: “This medicine will allow more people whose daily lives are affected by this painful, debilitating condition to manage migraines more effectively and live fulfilling lives.”

The drug treats migraines by blocking CGRP receptors, a sensory neuron protein in the head and neck. CGRP causes blood vessels to dilate, which may lead to inflammation and migraines.

Rob Music, chief executive of the charity The Migraine Trust, said: “It’s positive to see more treatments becoming available for people with migraine, as many people still rely on treatments developed for other conditions.”

The charity called for “rapid” access to the drug to ensure migraine sufferers “can benefit from it as quickly as possible”.

According to Music, migraine symptoms include severe headaches, sensory loss or changes, and a lack of ability to perform daily activities.

The drug, formally known as Atogepant, was recommended for use in Scotland by the Scottish Medicines Association in October last year.

Nice advises patients to stop using Aquipta after 12 weeks if chronic migraines have not been reduced by at least 30% or episodic migraines have not been reduced by at least 50%. In the absence of an appeal against the draft guidance, the company plans to issue final guidance on the drug next month.