Sciatica can be caused by tumors impinging on the spinal cord or the nerve roots. Severe back pain extending to the hips and feet, loss of bladder or bowel control, or muscle weakness may result from spinal tumors or cauda equina syndrome. Trauma to the spine, such as from a car accident or hard fall onto the heel or buttocks, may also lead to sciatica. A relationship has been proposed with a latent Cutibacterium acnes infection in the intervertebral discs, but the role it plays is not yet clear. Pathophysiology
Sciatica is generally caused by the compression of lumbar nerves L4 or L5 or sacral nerve S1. Less commonly, sacral nerves S2 or S3 or compression of the sciatic nerve itself may cause sciatica. In 90% of sciatica cases, this can occur as a result of a spinal disc bulge or herniation. Intervertebral spinal discs consist of an outer anulus fibrosus and an inner nucleus pulposus. The anulus fibrosus forms a rigid ring around the nucleus pulposus early in human development, and the gelatinous contents of the nucleus pulposus are thus contained within the disc. Discs separate the spinal vertebrae, thereby increasing spinal stability and allowing nerve roots to properly exit through the spaces between the vertebrae from the spinal cord. As an individual ages, the anulus fibrosus weakens and becomes less rigid, making it at greater risk for tear.
Frovatriptan, sold under the brand name Frova, is a triptan drug developed by Vernalis for the treatment of migraine headaches and for short term prevention of menstrual migraine. The product is licensed to Endo Pharmaceuticals in North America and Menarini in Europe. Medical uses
Frovatriptan is used in the treatment of migraine. Available forms
It is available as 2.5 mg tablets. Contraindications
Frovatriptan should not be given to patients with:

Ischemic heart disease
Cerebrovascular syndrome
Peripheral vascular disease
Uncontrolled hypertension
Hemiplegic or basilar migraine

Side effects
Rare, but serious cardiac events have been reported in patients with risk factors predictive of CAD. These include: coronary artery vasospasm, transient myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
Frovatriptan is a serotonin receptor agonist, with high affinity for the 5-HT1B/1D receptors. It has no significant effects on the GABAA mediated channel activity and benzodiazepine binding sites. Frovatriptan inhibits excessive dilation of arteries that supply blood to the head. Pharmacokinetics
Frovatriptan has a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 26 hours, making it the longest within its class. Society and culture
US licensing
Frovatriptan is available only by prescription in the United States and Canada, where a secondary New Drug Approval (sNDA) was filed in July 2006. References
External links
Frova (manufacturers website)
Frovatriptan Succinate  (patient information)
FDA labeling