Medication may stop migraines before headache starts, study shows

When taken on the first indicators of a migraine, earlier than headache ache begins, a drug referred to as ubrogepant could also be efficient in serving to individuals with migraine go about their each day lives with little or no signs, in accordance with a examine revealed within the August 28, 2024, on-line situation of Neurology.

The examine targeted on individuals with migraine who might inform when an assault was about to occur, as a result of early signs corresponding to sensitivity to mild and sound, fatigue, neck ache or stiffness, or dizziness.

Ubrogepant is a calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist, or CGRP inhibitor. CGRP is a protein that performs a key position within the migraine course of.

“Migraine is among the most prevalent illnesses worldwide, but so many individuals that suffer from this situation don’t obtain therapy or report that they aren’t happy with their therapy,” stated examine writer Richard B. Lipton, MD, of Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, New York, and Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology.

“Improving care on the first indicators of migraine, even earlier than headache ache begins, is usually a key to improved outcomes. Our findings are encouraging, suggesting that ubrogepant might assist individuals with migraine perform usually and go about their day.”

The examine concerned 518 members who had migraine for at the very least one 12 months and two to eight migraine assaults per 30 days within the three months earlier than the examine. All of the members usually skilled indicators {that a} migraine can be beginning inside the subsequent few hours. Participants had been requested to deal with two assaults throughout a two-month interval.

Researchers divided members into two teams. The first group acquired a placebo for his or her first set of pre-headache signs of migraine, adopted by taking 100 milligrams (mg) of ubrogepant for his or her second occasion of signs. The second group took ubrogepant for the primary occasion and placebo for the second occasion.

Participants evaluated limitations on their exercise of their diary utilizing a scale starting from zero to 5, with 0 which means “by no means restricted—I might do all the things”; 1, “a bit restricted”; 2, “considerably restricted”; 3, “very restricted”; or 4, “extraordinarily restricted.”

Twenty-four hours after taking the drug or a placebo, 65% of people that took ubrogepant reported themselves as “by no means restricted—I might do all the things,” or “a bit restricted,” in comparison with 48% of those that took the placebo.

Researchers discovered that as early as two hours post-medication, individuals who took the drug had been 73% extra prone to report that that they had “no incapacity, capable of perform usually,” than those that took the placebo.

“Based on our findings, therapy with ubrogepant might permit individuals with migraine who expertise early warning indicators earlier than a migraine happens to shortly deal with migraine assaults of their earliest levels and go about their each day lives with little discomfort and disruption,” stated Lipton. “This might result in an improved high quality of life for these dwelling with migraine.”

Lipton famous that members confirmed that based mostly on their headache warning signs, they may reliably predict impending migraine complications. These findings apply solely to these with dependable warning signs.

A limitation of the examine was that members recorded their signs and drugs use in digital diaries, so it’s potential some individuals might not have recorded all the knowledge precisely.