CGRP Inhibitors: The New Migraine Drug

Have you tried the any of the new CGRP inhibitors to help prevent migraine attacks? Many of the women in our group have had great success with this new type of medication for treating and preventing migraine.

CGRP stands for calcitonin gene-related peptide. A few years ago, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first anti CGRP migraine treatments specifically created to treat migraine. They are designed to target CGRP, the protein known for causing migraine. CGRP migraine medications can also be called anti-CGRP, CGRP inhibitors, CGRP antagonist treatments, and monoclonal antibodies for migraine.

When CGRP is released in the brain, it affects the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for communicating pain and sensitivities to touch and temperature. CGRP also causes inflammation and pain that happens during a migraine; it makes headache pain worse and causes headaches to last longer. Evidently, people who are diagnosed with migraine have more CGRP in their blood. CGRP inhibitors block the release of calcitonin gene-related peptides. If there is no CGRP circulating, there is no migraine.

Research on CGRP has had promising results. In a 2018 study, a third of people tested with CPRG treatment had 50 percent fewer migraine attacks. Their migraine symptoms also lasted fewer days. Another study found a third of the people with migraine had up to 75 percent improvement. Furthermore, some medications stop working as well they are used for some time. Response to CGRP medications gets better with time for most people.

Currently, Aimovig, Ajovy, Vyepti, and Emgality, are injections approved for chronic and episodic migraine headaches, while Nurtec and Ubrelvy are pills approved to both prevent headaches and treat migraine headaches in the moment. Quilpta is also a pill and was recently approved in 2021.

CGRP inhibitors tend to be well-tolerated. In fact, one study found that those with episodic migraine had no more reaction to the CGRP inhibitor than a placebo (sugar pill), and just 6% of those who gave themselves injections had reactions where they got the shot. Some mild to moderate side effects from CGRP inhibitors have been reported, including:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Back pain

• Headache

• Visual problems

• Tingling or “pins and needles” sensations

• Dry mouth

• Upper respiratory infections

• Urinary tract infections

• Fatigue

• Joint stiffness

• Liver toxicity

• Pain where you get the shot (for CGRP inhibitors given via injection or IV)

None of the CGRP inhibitors are taken every day. Aimovig and Emgality are taken once a month as one or two successive shots, depending on the dose. Ajovy is taken once a month (one injection) or once every three months (three injections, one after the other). Vyepti is administered once every three months. Vyepti works a little differently in that a healthcare provider administers it intravenously (by IV). The infusion is administered slowly over the course of 30 minutes.

Unlike the other CGRP inhibitors, Nurtec and Ubrelvy are taken orally. Both medications are approved to treat migraine attacks in the moment in addition to preventing future migraines. Nurtec and Ubrelvy are taken once every other day for migraine prevention and can be taken during a migraine as long as it has been at least 24 hours since your last dose. Quilipta is also taken orally and daily.

If you've been unable to find a medication that keeps your migraines from occurring, it is a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider about trying a CGRP.

Source: https://www.verywellhealth.com/cgrp-inhibitors-prevent-migraines