NASCAR Driver Cody Ware Celebrates Men’s Health Month by Raising Awareness of Migraine

(BPT) - Migraine is a disabling neurological disease often associated with women. Many may not realize it, but men get migraine too. In fact, NASCAR driver Cody Ware is one of the nearly 40 million people living with migraine.

Cody has suffered from migraine since he was 18 years old. With the pain comes visual aura, nausea and vomiting. When a migraine strikes, he has to go into a dark room to sleep, which means he has to forfeit his plans for the day, no matter the importance.

“I remember being in the race shop one day with the crew and I had to leave because of a migraine,” says Cody. “I was unable to focus because of it and I always feel that I am at the whim of a migraine.” As migraine disproportionately affects women, men battling this disease are often overlooked.

Stress and Migraine

According to the American Migraine Foundation, stress triggers an attack in about 70 percent of people living with migraine. As Cody is a NASCAR driver for the Rick Ware Racing team, he finds it very difficult to avoid stress as he is racing around the track at speeds over 200 mph.

“I’m always worried that a migraine will strike the day of a race,” says Cody. “If one came on, it would greatly impact me and my team. I wouldn’t be able to function with the pain.”

Racing without Fear

Management of migraine is different for everyone. Cody realized that he needed a new treatment plan and talked to his doctor about Nurtec^® ODT (rimegepant), an orally dissolving tablet taken at the onset of a migraine.

“Nurtec ODT relieves my migraine symptoms fast and can last up to 48 hours,” Cody says. “It’s convenient to take as I don’t need water and I can keep it with me at all times. Knowing that I have Nurtec ODT helps to reduce the anxiety of when my next migraine will hit.”

As June is Men’s Health month, Cody encourages men who are living with migraine to talk with their doctor to see if Nurtec ODT will work for them. “I know how bad migraine is and I want others to know there are treatments available to help with the pain and symptoms. It is important for men to take care of their health and not push through the pain because this is what is expected of us.”

For more information about Cody’s migraine story, visit nurtec.com.

Indication
NURTEC ODT orally disintegrating tablets is a prescription medicine that is used to treat migraine in adults. It is for the acute treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura and the preventive treatment of episodic migraine. It is not known if NURTEC ODT is safe and effective in children.

Important Safety Information
Do not take NURTEC ODT if you are allergic to NURTEC ODT (rimegepant) or any of its ingredients.

Before you take NURTEC ODT, tell your healthcare provider (HCP) about all your medical conditions, including if you:

• have liver problems,
• have kidney problems,
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant,
• breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Tell your HCP about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

NURTEC ODT may cause serious side effects including allergic reactions, including trouble breathing and rash. This can happen days after you take NURTEC ODT. Call your HCP or get emergency help right away if you have swelling of the face, mouth, tongue, or throat or trouble breathing. This occurred in less than 1% of patients treated with NURTEC ODT.

The most common side effects of NURTEC ODT were nausea (2.7%) and stomach pain/indigestion (2.4%). These are not the only possible side effects of NURTEC ODT. Tell your HCP if you have any side effects.

You are encouraged to report side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088 or report side effects to Biohaven at 1-833-4NURTEC.

Please click here for full Prescribing Information and Patient Information.