Background: Medications targeting the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) pathway are exciting and novel therapeutic options in the treatment of migraine.
Objective: In this article, we have reviewed the role of these CGRP monoclonal antibodies in patients with episodic migraine.
Materials and methods: We did an extensive literature search for all phase 2 and 3 studies involving CGRP monoclonal antibodies in episodic migraine.
Results: Erenumab, fremanezumab, galcanezumab, and eptinezumab have all undergone phase 3 trials and have been found to be effective for episodic and chronic migraine. They have the advantage of being targeted therapies for migraine with very favorable adverse effect profiles comparable to placebo. Importantly, they are effective in subgroups of patients who have failed previous preventive therapies.
Conclusion: Increasing use of these medications will certainly revolutionize the treatment and outlook for patients with migraine all over the world.
Keywords: Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP); episodic migraine; eptinezumab; erenumab; fremanezumab; galcanezumab; monoclonal antibodies.