The Latest New Treatments for Migraine

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Key Questions
  • What have previously been the main classes of pharmacological treatments for migraine?
  • What is CGRP? Why is it important in migraine?
  • Which antibodies are self-administered versus intravenous infusion?
  • How effective are the CGRP antagonists?
  • Have the findings in the clinical trials for CGRP medications been matched by real-world experience?
  • How long should you try a CGRP antibody before giving up?
  • Is it worth trying another CGRP antibody if one fails you?
  • What side effects have now become clear that didn’t come out during the clinical trials?
  • How do the gepants differ from the CGRP monoclonal antibodies?
  • Which gepants are used preventively and which are used for acute migraine attacks?
  • Is it common for some of these new treatments to be effective for head pain but not other symptoms of migraine-like fatigue, vertigo, or nausea?
  • What is the new ditan treatment that’s now available in the United States?
  • How is it different from the triptans?
  • What new devices are coming soon?
  • How effective are the devices?
  • Is ketamine effective in migraine? Is there research to support its use?
  • Which older medication has been released in a new delivery system? Why does this new delivery of the same drug make such a difference?
  • Are combinations of medications used to help treat migraine?
  • Why is the cost so high for some of the new treatments?
  • Is it possible to successfully manage migraine without medication?
  • What does the development of these new treatments mean for migraine management?
  • What do you do if you haven’t had good results after trying the new treatments?
  • What is the future of migraine care?
Interview Notes

Find more about Deborah Friedman, MD, MPH, FAAN and her work here:

Treatments Mentioned
  • Acetaminophen (paracetamol)
  • Aspirin
  • Atogepant (Qulipta)
  • Barbiturates
  • Beta blockers
  • Calcium channel blockers
  • Cefaly device
  • Coenzyme Q10
  • Dihydroergotamine mesylate (Trudhesa)
  • Eptinezumab, (Vyepti)
  • Erenumab (Aimovig)
  • Ergotamine (dihydroergotamine)
  • Exercise
  • Fremanezumab (Ajovy)
  • Galcanezumab (Emgality)
  • GammaCore device
  • Gepants
  • Ketamine
  • Lasmiditan
  • Magnesium oxide
  • Meloxicam (Mobic)
  • Migranal
  • Monoclonal antibodies
  • Monoclonal antibodies against PACAP
  • Narcotics
  • Nerivio device
  • Neuromodulation devices
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs)
  • Onabotulinumtoxin (Botox)
  • Opioids
  • Relivion device
  • Rimegepant (Nurtec)
  • Rizatriptan (Maxalt)
  • Telcagepant (no longer on the market because of liver toxicity)
  • Transcranial magnetic stimulation (no longer on the market)
  • Tricyclic antidepressants
  • Triptans
  • Ubrogepant (Ubrelvy)
  • Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
  • Zavegepant (formerly vazegepant)
  • Zolmitriptan (Zomig)

Please note: The Migraine World Summit’s aim is to bring you a variety of perspectives and expertise, independent of bias or judgment. Alternative theories presented in this video have not been medically reviewed. Views expressed in this interview do not necessarily represent the views of the Migraine World Summit. Please always consult your health care professional and do your own research before making changes to your treatment plan.

Deborah Friedman, MD, MPH, FAAN, FAHS

Neuro-Ophthalmologist & Headache Specialist
Dallas, TX

Dr. Deborah Friedman is a neurologist specializing in headache medicine and neuro-ophthalmology in Dallas. She was the founding director of the Headache and Facial Pain Program and Cerebrospinal Fluid Dynamics Program at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. She is board certified in neurology and headache medicine, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology, the American Headache Society (AHS), the American Neurological Association, and the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society (NANOS).

She served on the board of directors for the AHS and the Southern Headache Society, as a past president of NANOS, and on the steering committee for the Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Treatment Trial. She has published over 130 articles in peer-reviewed journals and 27 book chapters. Her key interests are intracranial pressure disorders, migraine, and cluster headache.

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