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Update of Gepants in the Treatment of Chronic Migraine

  • Chronic Daily Headache (S-J Wang and S-P Chen, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Pain and Headache Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Despite the unmet therapeutic needs of patients with chronic migraine (CM) and/or medication overuse, available treatment options are limited. Recently, four calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonists, known as gepants, have been approved for the treatment of migraine. This review focuses on the preventive treatment of CM with gepants and highlights recent findings.

Recent Findings

Two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown promising results for rimegepant and atogepant as preventive treatments for CM. In an RCT targeting patients with CM, atogepant demonstrated a significant reduction in the mean monthly migraine days, irrespective of acute medication overuse. Moreover, the patients reported no significant safety concerns and exhibited good tolerance to treatment.

Summary

These findings highlight the potential of gepants as a new and effective therapeutic option for patients with CM and/or medication overuse. Gepant use will help improve the management and quality of life of individuals with this debilitating condition.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Uijeongbu Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University School of Medicine, Uijeongbu, Korea

    Soohyun Cho

  2. Department of Neurology, Nowon Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

    Byung-Kun Kim

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Correspondence to Byung-Kun Kim.

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Conflict of Interest

Soohyun Cho received honoraria as a speaker from Celltrion Pharm, Daewoong Pharm, Boryung, Whan In Pharm, Teva and SK Pharm. He has been the principal investigator of clinical trials sponsored by Teva and SK Pharm. Byung-Kun Kim served on Lundbeck’s Advisory Board. He received honoraria as a moderator and speaker from Lundbeck, AbbVie, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Teva, Yuyu Pharm, and SK Pharm. He has been the principal investigator of clinical trials sponsored by Eli-Lilly, Novartis, Lundbeck, Teva, AbbVie, and Ildong Pharm.

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Cho, S., Kim, BK. Update of Gepants in the Treatment of Chronic Migraine. Curr Pain Headache Rep 27, 561–569 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-023-01167-6

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