Migraines are a type of moderate-to-severe headache. They affect at least 39 million people in the United States and more than 1 billion people around the world, according to the Migraine Research Foundation.
The causes of migraines are not completely understood and there is no known cure. But it’s widely accepted that they can interfere with a person’s ability to function each day.
Migraine symptoms and prevention strategies
Symptoms of migraines can include severe pulsing or throbbing pain, light or sound sensitivity, nausea, and vomiting. In some people, they can be preceded by auras, warning signs that a migraine is about to start. Aura symptoms can include dizziness, tingling or numbness in the hands, arms, or face, and vision changes like seeing flashing lights, zigzags, wavy lines, or blurriness.
To prevent them from happening, healthcare providers (HCPs) have long urged people to address things that increase migraine risk. These include:
- Stress and anxiety
- Hormonal changes
- Bright or flashing lights
- Lack of sleep
- Not eating or eating certain foods
Historically, HCPs have also prescribed medications originally developed to treat seizures, high blood pressure, depression, and pain, all of which can help bring on migraines.
For a long time, however, there were no drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically aimed at migraine prevention. That changed in 2018, with FDA approval of erenumab-aooe (Aimovig).
Newer drugs for migraine prevention
Given as an injection once each month, studies have shown erenumab-aooe can help prevent chronic migraines, which occur 15 or more days per month. It can also help prevent episodic migraines, which occur between 4 and 14 days per month.
Erenumab-aooe belongs to a class of drugs called CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide) inhibitors. They work by blocking CGRPs, a molecule that causes painful migraine episodes.
Since erenumab-aooe’s approval, several other CGRP inhibitors have also been released for migraine prevention. These drugs include:
- Atogepant (Qulipta)
- Rimegepant (Nurtec ODT)
- Eptinezumab-jjmr (Vypepti)
- Galcanezumab-gnlm (Emgality)
- Fremanezumab-vfrm (Ajovy)
Some of these drugs are injected, while others are delivered intravenously (via IV) or taken as tablets. Studies suggest they’re effective and can be used in people both with and without auras. Importantly, they tend to have minimal side effects, which can be an issue with other migraine drugs.
Sticking to migraine treatments
It’s important to follow your HCP’s advice for preventing migraines. That means taking steps to address stress, lack of sleep, and other risk factors. It also means using any medications exactly as prescribed by an HCP, whether it’s CGRP inhibitor or another drug.
If you have questions about CGRP inhibitors or other migraine prevention methods, speak to your HCP. They can provide further information and help you decide which strategies would work best for you.
Sources: American Migraine Foundation. The Facts ... + 7
- American Migraine Foundation. The Facts About Migraines. Marcy 8, 2019.
- Cleveland Clinic. Migraine Headaches. January 23, 2024.
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration. FDA approves novel preventive treatment for migraine. May 22, 2018.
- Zhu C, Guan J, Xioa H, Luo W, Tong R. Erenumab safety and efficacy in migraine: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(52): e18483.
- Drugs.com. CGRP Inhibitors. April 13, 2023.
- Arca K, Reynolds J, Sands KA, Shiue HJ. Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Antagonists for the Prevention of Migraine: Highlights From Pivotal Studies and the Clinical Relevance of This New Drug Class. Ann Pharmacother. 2020 Aug;54(8):795-803.
- Drugs.com. What are the new drugs for the treatment of migraine? April 27, 2023.
- American Headache Society. American Headache Society Position Statement: Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) Inhibitors should now be considered a first-line option for migraine prevention. April 26, 2024.
