Calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibody

Calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or CGRP mAbs are a new type of preventative migraine treatment. CGRP mAbs block the release of calcitonin gene-related peptide, a neurotransmitter known to cause migraines.

Unlike known the small molecule CGRP antagonists known as gepants, CGRP mAbs are used for preventation rather than treatment of an existing migraine.

Drugs
Currently FDA-licensed CGRP mAbs are:
 * Eptinezumab (Vyepti), approved in 2020
 * Erenumab (Aimovig), approved in 2018
 * Fremanezumab (Ajovy), approved in 2018
 * Galcanezumab (Emgality), approved in 2018

Uses
A small retrospective chart review by Kang and Govindarajan (2020) found that CGRP mAbs also significantly decreased peripheral nerve pain in patients who also had migraines.

News and articles

 * 2020, Can migraines be untangled by new medical thinking? - The Observer

Learn more

 * Calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies - The Migraine Trust
 * CGRP Medications - Migraine Australia