Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) migraine treatment is a newer way to help prevent and treat migraine episodes. This type of treatment includes medications such as rimegepant (Nurtec ODT).

These medications block a protein called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). CGRP may cause inflammation and pain in the nervous system of people who have migraine attacks.

CGRP migraine medications are also called anti-CGRPs, CGRP inhibitors, and CGRP antagonists. They may help prevent migraine attacks and make them less severe.

CGRP migraine treatments work in a few ways to stop or treat migraine pain:

  • They block the sites in and around the brain where CGRP must attach to work.
  • They bind to CGRP and prevent it from working.

CGRP is a protein released by nerve cells that sensitizes parts of the brain. It also worsens headache pain and makes it last longer.

CGRP levels can be elevated during a migraine episode and between episodes. By keeping CGRP from working as it usually does, CGRP treatments can help prevent or relieve migraine episodes.

Doctors may prescribe CGRP medications for people with chronic migraine, episodic migraine, and migraine with or without aura.

CGRP migraine treatments may work for people who do not get relief from other migraine treatments.

A 2018 study involving people with episodic migraine found that almost a third of people treated with a CGRP medication had 50% fewer migraine episodes.

Some migraine medications stop working as effectively if they’re used long-term. According to a 2022 study, CGRP medications can be effective for years. The researchers also note that these medications may be effective for people who overuse other migraine medications.

Injectable CGRP migraine treatments are typically only needed once or twice a month at the most. This makes it easier for people with migraine to not miss a medication dose. Additionally, people do not have to wait to have a migraine attack to have the treatment.

Some CGRP migraine treatments come as injections or infusions. The dosage depends on the treatment and how often you get migraine attacks. You may need a CGRP migraine treatment injection once or twice a month.

Other CGRP migraine drugs are only needed once every 3 months. You may be able to give yourself the injections at home or have your doctor inject them.

CGRP medications that come as injections or infusions include:

There are also CGRP drugs that can be taken orally. They include:

Another option is a nasal spray, zavegepant (Zavzpret), which can be taken once a day.

How much does CGRP treatment cost?

CGRP drugs are newer and may cost more than other migraine treatments. The exact price can vary depending on several factors, including where you live and whether you have insurance that covers the medications.

Without insurance, some CGRP medications can cost thousands of dollars per year. If you have an insurance plan that covers the treatment, your costs may be significantly lower.

Talk with your doctor about your eligibility for CGRP treatment and what your costs may look like.

CGRP migraine treatments are newer, and more research is necessary to understand their effects and long-term risks.

Side effects such as sleepiness, nausea, dry mouth, and abdominal pain may occur.

Many CGRP migraine treatments currently have to be injected. This can cause pain, and injection sites on the skin can become irritated or infected. Washing your hands, cleaning the site, and using new needles each time is important.

CGRP also plays a key role in dilating or widening your blood vessels. Migraine medications that lower CGRP levels may cause side effects that affect your blood pressure and heart.

More studies are needed to evaluate the use of CGRP medications in people with a recent history of vascular events, such as stroke and heart attack.

CGRP is also involved in other body processes. For example, it helps with wound healing and affects certain digestive organs.

It’s not yet known if blocking this chemical protein could affect wound healing or trigger digestive disorders.

If you’re interested in trying CGRP treatments for migraine, talk with your doctor. They can help you understand how these medications may help you.

If you have insurance, you may also consider checking whether you meet your plan’s requirements for CGRP treatment.

Some insurance plans won’t cover the treatment unless you meet certain criteria. For example, you may need to have tried one or more other migraine treatments without success before an insurance plan will cover CGRP treatment.

If your insurance doesn’t cover the medications, you can also check whether you might be eligible for a drug manufacturer’s patient assistance program. For instance, Pfizer offers financial assistance for people who have been prescribed rimegepant (Nurtec ODT) and meet certain requirements.

CGRP migraine treatment is a newer type of treatment. It may work better for some people with migraine than other kinds of medications.

Like other types of treatment, CGRP migraine drugs may not be right for everyone. If you have another chronic condition like heart disease, diabetes, or digestive problems, your doctor may not recommend CGRP treatment.

Talk with your doctor to find out if CGRP migraine treatment may be right for you. Your doctor may recommend trying it for a few months.

Consider keeping a daily headache journal before taking CGRP medication and while you’re taking it. Tell your doctor if your symptoms change or if you notice any side effects.