Understanding CGRP Inhibitors for Migraine

Treating symptoms is only part of the battle with migraine. Another critical goal is preventing them, which most over-the-counter drugs can't do. The FDA has approved calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitors as the standard option for migraine prevention.

CGRP is the acronym for calcitonin gene-related peptide. It causes the inflammation and pain that happens during a migraine. It makes headache pain worse and headaches last longer.

CGRP inhibitors are drugs that block CGRP from binding to CGRP receptors, which is one of the key causes of migraine pain. Some treat migraine, while others prevent them from happening altogether.

There are two main types: preventative migraine treatment and acute migraine treatment. Preventative treatments can be administered by IV or injection, orally as a pill, or as a nasal spray. There are oral and nasal options for acute treatments that stop an attack once it begins.

CGRP inhibitors have been shown to work better and faster than conventional migraine medications. It often takes up to three months to figure out whether traditional migraine medications are working, but most people who take CGRP inhibitors to prevent or treat migraine see results in the first month.

CGRP inhibitors tend to be well-tolerated, but some side effects can include nausea, vomiting, back pain, headaches, vision problems, and dry mouth.

CGRP inhibitors work on episodic and chronic migraines. CGRP inhibitors may be especially effective if you have a lot of side effects or don't get headache relief from conventional migraine medications.