HAZLETON, Pa. — Troy Healthcare is expanding retail distribution of its Stopain Migraine topical pain reliever, which a recent study found to be safe and effective in treating an acute migraine attack.

The company said Tuesday that Stopain Migraine, the first over-the-counter topical gel formulated specifically for migraine relief, is slated to roll out to Rite Aid and H-E-B stores in September. The product currently is available at Walmart.

A study conducted by the Jefferson Headache Center at Thomas Jefferson University observed 25 migraine sufferers using Stopain Migraine, and 52% showed a statistically significant improvement of headache pain by one severity level (no pain, mild pain, moderate pain or severe pain) two hours after applying the gel, Troy Healthcare reported. After 24 hours, 96% showed an improvement of headache pain by one severity level.

“Effectively treating a migraine can be extremely difficult, even with the wide variety of treatments available,” explained neurologist Stephen Silberstein, M.D., director of the Jefferson Headache Center at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. “Stopain Migraine is unique in that it works alone but can also be used in conjunction with oral therapies for relief, reapplied up to four times daily in the event it’s needed.” The study was published in the journal Frontiers in Neurology.

Stopain Migraine is applied topically as a measured dose to the fingertips and then rubbed onto the back of the neck and behind each ear, where many migraines are believed to originate, according to Troy Healthcare, which added that the product’s airless pump technology ensures precision dosing. For ages 12 and up, the gel can be applied at any stage of the migraine, up to four times daily, either alone or with other migraine medications.

In the United States, 37 million people suffer from migraines, and although most have migraines once or twice a month, many can experience chronic migraines at least 15 days a month, Troy Healthcare said. And while the cause of migraines is mostly unknown, they are often triggered by a variety of things, such as stress, food, weather, activities and lack of sleep and more, making the condition one of the nation’s top 20 debilitating illnesses, according to the Migraine Research Foundation.

“As a topical treatment, Stopain Migraine is an attractive alternative or adjunct for migraine pain relief due to its accessibility as an OTC medicine, its rapid onset of action, direct application to the back of the neck and behind each ear, and lack of systemic side effects,” stated Anthony Cicini, vice president of Troy Healthcare. “Stopain Migraine begins to work as soon as it’s applied and can be applied at any stage of a migraine.”