Do you also get migraines frequently? Unable to bear the severe pain, do you have to put aside all the work of the day, sit in a dark room and close your eyes? If so, you are not alone. There are many people who suffer from this problem called migraine. So, today we are going to talk about a new class of drugs that help control this condition called migraine, and are specially developed for it.
Simply put, what are these CGRP Inhibitors?
CGRP inhibitors are a special type of medication that can only be taken after a doctor's prescription. They are mainly used to treat migraine headaches.
If you have frequent, severe migraines, which are long-term migraines , your doctor may prescribe this medication. It is also sometimes used to treat episodic migraines .
How does this medicine work inside the body?
These drugs are called CGRP inhibitors because of the way they work. The word "inhibit" means "to stop" or "to control."
Now let's look at what CGRP is. CGRP is an abbreviation for Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide . It is a protein that is naturally produced in our bodies. Under normal conditions, this CGRP protein helps us a lot. For example, it helps control blood pressure by widening our blood vessels (vasodilation).
However, in people with migraines, the body produces much more of this CGRP protein than is necessary. This excess CGRP stimulates the nerves in the brain, making the pain signals worse. It also causes the pain to last longer.
So, what CGRP inhibitors do is stop the action of the CGRP protein that is produced in excess, thereby controlling the onset and severity of pain.
There are two main types of CGRP inhibitors:
This group of drugs can be divided into two main types. The way they work is slightly different. Let's take a look at what they are.
| Type of medicine | Mechanism | Examples & Administration |
|---|---|---|
| CGRP monoclonal antibodies (moAbs) | These are special proteins made in the lab. Just like the antibodies that fight germs in our bodies. But these don't fight germs, they fight excess CGRP proteins in the body. When this drug enters the body, it seeks out excess CGRP and deactivates it. It's like specially trained security guards. |
You can usually give yourself injections under the skin at home. Your doctor will show you how to do it. |
| CGRP receptor antagonists (gepants) | The best way to understand how this works is to think of it as a game of musical chairs. Imagine that the CGRP protein has special 'chairs' (receptors) that it attaches to on nerves in the brain. What this drug does is it rushes to grab those chairs before CGRP can get to them. So when CGRP runs out of chairs to sit on, it can't attach to the nerves and cause pain. |
Some of these types of medications are also used to control migraine symptoms after they occur. |
What are the benefits of these medications?
CGRP inhibitors are the first class of drugs specifically designed to prevent and treat migraines. Using these drugs can help you:
- The frequency of migraines decreases. For someone who used to get about ten migraines a month, the number may decrease to two or three.
- Even if a migraine occurs, its severity and duration will decrease. The pain that used to last for two or three days may subside in a matter of hours.
- Some migraines are prevented from occurring altogether.
Are there any side effects?
Like any medicine, these medications can cause side effects in some people. However, most of the time, these are not serious.
Common side effects
- Back pain
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Dry mouth
- Numbness (paresthesia)
- Joint pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Other common headaches that are not migraines
- Pain or redness where the injection was given or where the medicine was given into a vein
Rare but important conditions to watch out for
- Elevated liver enzyme levels (transaminitis)
- Liver damage
- Blurred vision
The most important thing is to inform your doctor immediately if you experience any of these side effects . Don't be afraid to talk about it.
How soon will I start feeling better?
You may not feel any relief immediately after starting this medication. It usually takes a month or two for you to start seeing results. How quickly you feel relief depends on several factors.
- The type of CGRP inhibitor you have been given
- How often do you get migraines?
- Severity of migraine symptoms
- Your overall health status
Your doctor will explain all of this to you, so it's important to be patient until you get the results.
Do you want to see the doctor again?
Yes, absolutely. After you start taking this medicine, you should follow up with your doctor at regular intervals as directed. Your doctor can then see how well this medicine is working for you.
When you see your doctor, be sure to mention these things:
- Have the frequency of migraines decreased?
- Has the severity of the pain decreased?
- Did you have any side effects?
- Do you have any questions about how to get vaccinated at home?
You're probably used to the feeling of a migraine that seems to last forever. This CGRP inhibitor medication can help you get rid of that annoying, frustrating feeling and get back to your normal life. You may still get migraines from time to time, but they won't be as severe as they used to be and won't interfere with your daily activities as much. Before starting a new medication, ask your doctor any questions you have about it.
Take-Home Message
- CGRP inhibitors are a new, successful class of drugs specifically designed to treat migraines.
- These work by blocking a protein called CGRP, which increases migraine pain.
- These medications come in the form of injections, intravenous medications, oral tablets, and nasal sprays.
- These medications can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of migraines.
- Tell your doctor immediately about any side effects.
- These are prescription medications and should never be used without the advice of a doctor.
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