Migraine Briefs

Key clinical point: Rimegepant was effective and had favourable safety and tolerability profiles in the preventive treatment of migraine.

Major finding: Rimegepant was superior to placebo in terms of change in the mean number of migraine days per month during weeks 9-12 (−4.3 days vs. −3.5 days; least squares mean difference, −0.8 days; P = .0099). Adverse events were reported by 133 of the patients who received rimegepant and 133 participants in the placebo group.

Study details: A multicentre, phase 2/3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 695 participants randomly assigned to receive oral rimegepant 75 mg (n = 348) or matching placebo (n=347) every other day for 12 weeks. The safety analysis included 741 participants, who received at least one dose of study medication.

Disclosures: The study was funded by Biohaven Pharmaceuticals. Some study investigators reported owning stock in, being an employee of, receiving support/grant from Biohaven Pharmaceuticals.

Source: Croop R et al. Lancet. 2020 Dec 15. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)32544-7.

Key clinical point: Rimegepant was effective and had favourable safety and tolerability profiles in the preventive treatment of migraine.

Major finding: Rimegepant was superior to placebo in terms of change in the mean number of migraine days per month during weeks 9-12 (−4.3 days vs. −3.5 days; least squares mean difference, −0.8 days; P = .0099). Adverse events were reported by 133 of the patients who received rimegepant and 133 participants in the placebo group.

Study details: A multicentre, phase 2/3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 695 participants randomly assigned to receive oral rimegepant 75 mg (n = 348) or matching placebo (n=347) every other day for 12 weeks. The safety analysis included 741 participants, who received at least one dose of study medication.

Disclosures: The study was funded by Biohaven Pharmaceuticals. Some study investigators reported owning stock in, being an employee of, receiving support/grant from Biohaven Pharmaceuticals.

Source: Croop R et al. Lancet. 2020 Dec 15. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)32544-7.

Key clinical point: Rimegepant was effective and had favourable safety and tolerability profiles in the preventive treatment of migraine.

Major finding: Rimegepant was superior to placebo in terms of change in the mean number of migraine days per month during weeks 9-12 (−4.3 days vs. −3.5 days; least squares mean difference, −0.8 days; P = .0099). Adverse events were reported by 133 of the patients who received rimegepant and 133 participants in the placebo group.

Study details: A multicentre, phase 2/3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 695 participants randomly assigned to receive oral rimegepant 75 mg (n = 348) or matching placebo (n=347) every other day for 12 weeks. The safety analysis included 741 participants, who received at least one dose of study medication.

Disclosures: The study was funded by Biohaven Pharmaceuticals. Some study investigators reported owning stock in, being an employee of, receiving support/grant from Biohaven Pharmaceuticals.

Source: Croop R et al. Lancet. 2020 Dec 15. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)32544-7.

Key clinical point: Patients with migraine have an increased risk for comorbidities, and the risk is influenced by headache pain intensity and monthly headache days.

Major finding: Patients with migraine vs those without had an increased risk for insomnia, depression, anxiety, gastric ulcers/gastrointestinal bleeding, peripheral artery disease, angina, epilepsy, asthma, arthritis, stroke or transient ischemic attack, rheumatoid arthritis, allergies/hay fever, and vitamin D deficiency (P less than. 001). Increasing headache pain intensity was associated with an increased risk for inflammatory comorbidities, and monthly headache day frequency with risk for nearly all conditions.

Study details: The data come from the Migraine in America Symptoms and Treatment Study, which included 15,133 patients with migraine and 77,453 control individuals without migraine.

Disclosures: This study was funded and sponsored by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories group of companies, Princeton, NJ. Sagar Munjal and Preeti Singh are employees of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories. Richard B. Lipton, Dawn C. Buse, Michael L. Reed, Todd J. Schwedt, and David W. Dodick reported paid consultancy for Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories. The authors also reported ties with one or more pharmaceutical companies.

Citation: Buse DC et al. J Headache Pain. 2020 Mar 2. doi: 10.1186/s10194-020-1084-y.

Key clinical point: Patients with migraine have an increased risk for comorbidities, and the risk is influenced by headache pain intensity and monthly headache days.

Major finding: Patients with migraine vs those without had an increased risk for insomnia, depression, anxiety, gastric ulcers/gastrointestinal bleeding, peripheral artery disease, angina, epilepsy, asthma, arthritis, stroke or transient ischemic attack, rheumatoid arthritis, allergies/hay fever, and vitamin D deficiency (P less than. 001). Increasing headache pain intensity was associated with an increased risk for inflammatory comorbidities, and monthly headache day frequency with risk for nearly all conditions.

Study details: The data come from the Migraine in America Symptoms and Treatment Study, which included 15,133 patients with migraine and 77,453 control individuals without migraine.

Disclosures: This study was funded and sponsored by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories group of companies, Princeton, NJ. Sagar Munjal and Preeti Singh are employees of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories. Richard B. Lipton, Dawn C. Buse, Michael L. Reed, Todd J. Schwedt, and David W. Dodick reported paid consultancy for Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories. The authors also reported ties with one or more pharmaceutical companies.

Citation: Buse DC et al. J Headache Pain. 2020 Mar 2. doi: 10.1186/s10194-020-1084-y.

Key clinical point: Patients with migraine have an increased risk for comorbidities, and the risk is influenced by headache pain intensity and monthly headache days.

Major finding: Patients with migraine vs those without had an increased risk for insomnia, depression, anxiety, gastric ulcers/gastrointestinal bleeding, peripheral artery disease, angina, epilepsy, asthma, arthritis, stroke or transient ischemic attack, rheumatoid arthritis, allergies/hay fever, and vitamin D deficiency (P less than. 001). Increasing headache pain intensity was associated with an increased risk for inflammatory comorbidities, and monthly headache day frequency with risk for nearly all conditions.

Study details: The data come from the Migraine in America Symptoms and Treatment Study, which included 15,133 patients with migraine and 77,453 control individuals without migraine.

Disclosures: This study was funded and sponsored by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories group of companies, Princeton, NJ. Sagar Munjal and Preeti Singh are employees of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories. Richard B. Lipton, Dawn C. Buse, Michael L. Reed, Todd J. Schwedt, and David W. Dodick reported paid consultancy for Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories. The authors also reported ties with one or more pharmaceutical companies.

Citation: Buse DC et al. J Headache Pain. 2020 Mar 2. doi: 10.1186/s10194-020-1084-y.

Key clinical point: Topical basil essential oil at higher doses can effectively reduce the severity of pain intensity and frequency of migraine attacks.

Major Finding: The interaction between dose and time factors was significantly associated with both pain intensity and frequency of attack (P less than .001 for both). The odds of higher pain intensity and rates of higher frequency of migraine attacks in the basil essential oil vs placebo group decreased over time.

Study details: In a triple-blind study, 144 patients with migraine were randomly assigned to basil essential oil 2%, 4%, 6%, and placebo groups (1:1:1:1) by a stratified method.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran. The authors declared no conflicts of interest. 

Citation: Ahmadifard M et al. Complement Med Res. 2020 Mar 10. doi: 10.1159/000506349. 

Key clinical point: Topical basil essential oil at higher doses can effectively reduce the severity of pain intensity and frequency of migraine attacks.

Major Finding: The interaction between dose and time factors was significantly associated with both pain intensity and frequency of attack (P less than .001 for both). The odds of higher pain intensity and rates of higher frequency of migraine attacks in the basil essential oil vs placebo group decreased over time.

Study details: In a triple-blind study, 144 patients with migraine were randomly assigned to basil essential oil 2%, 4%, 6%, and placebo groups (1:1:1:1) by a stratified method.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran. The authors declared no conflicts of interest. 

Citation: Ahmadifard M et al. Complement Med Res. 2020 Mar 10. doi: 10.1159/000506349. 

Key clinical point: Topical basil essential oil at higher doses can effectively reduce the severity of pain intensity and frequency of migraine attacks.

Major Finding: The interaction between dose and time factors was significantly associated with both pain intensity and frequency of attack (P less than .001 for both). The odds of higher pain intensity and rates of higher frequency of migraine attacks in the basil essential oil vs placebo group decreased over time.

Study details: In a triple-blind study, 144 patients with migraine were randomly assigned to basil essential oil 2%, 4%, 6%, and placebo groups (1:1:1:1) by a stratified method.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran. The authors declared no conflicts of interest. 

Citation: Ahmadifard M et al. Complement Med Res. 2020 Mar 10. doi: 10.1159/000506349. 

Key clinical point: Cervical noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) is a safe and effective technique for relieving acute pain in migraine and cluster headaches.

Major finding: The nVNS vs. sham-device treatment was effective in attaining a pain-free status within 30 minutes (P = .02), pain-relief status within 30 minutes (P = .007), pain-relief status at 60 minutes (P = .006), pain-free status in ≥50% of treated attacks (P = .005) and reduced use of abortive medication (P = .02). No significant differences were observed in decreased headache days (P = .117), adverse events (P = .81), and satisfaction (P = .07) between the nVNS and sham-device groups.

Study details: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 6 randomized controlled trials of nVNS for treating headaches (n = 983).

Disclosures: The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Citation: Lai YH et al. Neuromodulation. 2020 Mar 12. doi: 10.1111/ner.13122. 

Key clinical point: Cervical noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) is a safe and effective technique for relieving acute pain in migraine and cluster headaches.

Major finding: The nVNS vs. sham-device treatment was effective in attaining a pain-free status within 30 minutes (P = .02), pain-relief status within 30 minutes (P = .007), pain-relief status at 60 minutes (P = .006), pain-free status in ≥50% of treated attacks (P = .005) and reduced use of abortive medication (P = .02). No significant differences were observed in decreased headache days (P = .117), adverse events (P = .81), and satisfaction (P = .07) between the nVNS and sham-device groups.

Study details: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 6 randomized controlled trials of nVNS for treating headaches (n = 983).

Disclosures: The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Citation: Lai YH et al. Neuromodulation. 2020 Mar 12. doi: 10.1111/ner.13122. 

Key clinical point: Cervical noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) is a safe and effective technique for relieving acute pain in migraine and cluster headaches.

Major finding: The nVNS vs. sham-device treatment was effective in attaining a pain-free status within 30 minutes (P = .02), pain-relief status within 30 minutes (P = .007), pain-relief status at 60 minutes (P = .006), pain-free status in ≥50% of treated attacks (P = .005) and reduced use of abortive medication (P = .02). No significant differences were observed in decreased headache days (P = .117), adverse events (P = .81), and satisfaction (P = .07) between the nVNS and sham-device groups.

Study details: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 6 randomized controlled trials of nVNS for treating headaches (n = 983).

Disclosures: The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Citation: Lai YH et al. Neuromodulation. 2020 Mar 12. doi: 10.1111/ner.13122. 

Key clinical point: Topiramate can reduce the number of headache days in a month and disability levels in children with migraine.

Major finding: Topiramate vs. placebo significantly reduced the number of migraine days in a month (P = .0008) and migraine-related disability in pediatric patients (P = .04), but showed no significant difference in the proportion of patients experiencing a ≥50% reduction in monthly headache days (P = .11). Topiramate was associated with higher rates of side effects, including weight loss and paresthesia (P less than .01 for both).

Study details: A meta-analysis of 5 randomized controlled trials, including 531 children with migraine aged 6-17 years.

Disclosures: The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Citation: Wu X et al. Front Pediatr. 2020 Feb 27. doi: 10.3389/fped.2020.00028. 

Key clinical point: Topiramate can reduce the number of headache days in a month and disability levels in children with migraine.

Major finding: Topiramate vs. placebo significantly reduced the number of migraine days in a month (P = .0008) and migraine-related disability in pediatric patients (P = .04), but showed no significant difference in the proportion of patients experiencing a ≥50% reduction in monthly headache days (P = .11). Topiramate was associated with higher rates of side effects, including weight loss and paresthesia (P less than .01 for both).

Study details: A meta-analysis of 5 randomized controlled trials, including 531 children with migraine aged 6-17 years.

Disclosures: The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Citation: Wu X et al. Front Pediatr. 2020 Feb 27. doi: 10.3389/fped.2020.00028. 

Key clinical point: Topiramate can reduce the number of headache days in a month and disability levels in children with migraine.

Major finding: Topiramate vs. placebo significantly reduced the number of migraine days in a month (P = .0008) and migraine-related disability in pediatric patients (P = .04), but showed no significant difference in the proportion of patients experiencing a ≥50% reduction in monthly headache days (P = .11). Topiramate was associated with higher rates of side effects, including weight loss and paresthesia (P less than .01 for both).

Study details: A meta-analysis of 5 randomized controlled trials, including 531 children with migraine aged 6-17 years.

Disclosures: The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Citation: Wu X et al. Front Pediatr. 2020 Feb 27. doi: 10.3389/fped.2020.00028. 

Key clinical point: Vitamin D supplementation may improve headache characteristics and disability levels in patients with episodic migraine, especially among those with aura, possibly through attenuation of calcitonin gene-related peptide level.

Major finding: After 12 weeks, the vitamin D vs placebo group had a significant improvement in mean headache days (4.71 vs 6.43 days/month; P = .031) and mean Migraine Disability Assessment Questionnaire score (21.49 vs 31.16; P = .016).  

Study details: A post hoc analysis of a double-blind study which included patients with episodic migraine randomly assigned to receive either vitamin D 2,000 IU/day (n = 40) or placebo (n = 40). 

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Tehran University of Medical Sciences & Health Services. The authors reported no competing interests.

Citation: Ghorbani Z et al. J Headache Pain. 2020 Feb 24. doi: 10.1186/s10194-020-01090-w. 

Key clinical point: Vitamin D supplementation may improve headache characteristics and disability levels in patients with episodic migraine, especially among those with aura, possibly through attenuation of calcitonin gene-related peptide level.

Major finding: After 12 weeks, the vitamin D vs placebo group had a significant improvement in mean headache days (4.71 vs 6.43 days/month; P = .031) and mean Migraine Disability Assessment Questionnaire score (21.49 vs 31.16; P = .016).  

Study details: A post hoc analysis of a double-blind study which included patients with episodic migraine randomly assigned to receive either vitamin D 2,000 IU/day (n = 40) or placebo (n = 40). 

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Tehran University of Medical Sciences & Health Services. The authors reported no competing interests.

Citation: Ghorbani Z et al. J Headache Pain. 2020 Feb 24. doi: 10.1186/s10194-020-01090-w. 

Key clinical point: Vitamin D supplementation may improve headache characteristics and disability levels in patients with episodic migraine, especially among those with aura, possibly through attenuation of calcitonin gene-related peptide level.

Major finding: After 12 weeks, the vitamin D vs placebo group had a significant improvement in mean headache days (4.71 vs 6.43 days/month; P = .031) and mean Migraine Disability Assessment Questionnaire score (21.49 vs 31.16; P = .016).  

Study details: A post hoc analysis of a double-blind study which included patients with episodic migraine randomly assigned to receive either vitamin D 2,000 IU/day (n = 40) or placebo (n = 40). 

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Tehran University of Medical Sciences & Health Services. The authors reported no competing interests.

Citation: Ghorbani Z et al. J Headache Pain. 2020 Feb 24. doi: 10.1186/s10194-020-01090-w. 

Key clinical point: Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are clinically safe and effective, and non-inferior to other active drugs for the prophylaxis of migraine and vestibular migraine (VM).

Major finding: Fewer migraine days were reported with SNRIs vs placebo (standardized mean difference [SMD] -0.38; P = .04). In patients with VM, venlafaxine had a significant advantage in decreasing the vertigo severity score (weighted mean difference (MD) -1.45; P less than .0001) and emotional domain score of dizziness handicap inventory (MD -2.64; P = .03) vs other active drugs. No significant difference was noted in withdrawal rates between the groups.

Study details: Meta-analysis of six randomized controlled trials including 418 participants.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province. The authors declared no conflicts of interests.

Citation: Wang F et al. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2020 March. doi: 10.1136/rapm-2019-101207

Key clinical point: Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are clinically safe and effective, and non-inferior to other active drugs for the prophylaxis of migraine and vestibular migraine (VM).

Major finding: Fewer migraine days were reported with SNRIs vs placebo (standardized mean difference [SMD] -0.38; P = .04). In patients with VM, venlafaxine had a significant advantage in decreasing the vertigo severity score (weighted mean difference (MD) -1.45; P less than .0001) and emotional domain score of dizziness handicap inventory (MD -2.64; P = .03) vs other active drugs. No significant difference was noted in withdrawal rates between the groups.

Study details: Meta-analysis of six randomized controlled trials including 418 participants.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province. The authors declared no conflicts of interests.

Citation: Wang F et al. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2020 March. doi: 10.1136/rapm-2019-101207

Key clinical point: Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are clinically safe and effective, and non-inferior to other active drugs for the prophylaxis of migraine and vestibular migraine (VM).

Major finding: Fewer migraine days were reported with SNRIs vs placebo (standardized mean difference [SMD] -0.38; P = .04). In patients with VM, venlafaxine had a significant advantage in decreasing the vertigo severity score (weighted mean difference (MD) -1.45; P less than .0001) and emotional domain score of dizziness handicap inventory (MD -2.64; P = .03) vs other active drugs. No significant difference was noted in withdrawal rates between the groups.

Study details: Meta-analysis of six randomized controlled trials including 418 participants.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province. The authors declared no conflicts of interests.

Citation: Wang F et al. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2020 March. doi: 10.1136/rapm-2019-101207

Key clinical points: In episodic migraine, enhanced mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR+) is more effective than stress management for headache (SMH) in reducing headache and migraine days and headache related disability.

Major finding: At week 20, MBSR+ group vs. SHM group reported fewer headache days (4.6 vs. 6.0 headache days; P = .04) and had greater reduction in headache-related disability (59.6 to 54.6 vs 59.6 to 57.5; P =.02). Treatment response rate was higher in the MBSR+ group vs SMH group (52% vs. 23% reduction in headache days; P = .004). 

Study details: Patients with episodic migraine (aged, 18-65 years) were randomly assigned to receive either MBSR+ (n = 50) or SMH (n = 48).

Disclosures: This study was funded by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health and National Institutes of Health. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Citation: Seminowicz DA et al. Pain. 2020 Mar 13. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001860.

Key clinical points: In episodic migraine, enhanced mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR+) is more effective than stress management for headache (SMH) in reducing headache and migraine days and headache related disability.

Major finding: At week 20, MBSR+ group vs. SHM group reported fewer headache days (4.6 vs. 6.0 headache days; P = .04) and had greater reduction in headache-related disability (59.6 to 54.6 vs 59.6 to 57.5; P =.02). Treatment response rate was higher in the MBSR+ group vs SMH group (52% vs. 23% reduction in headache days; P = .004). 

Study details: Patients with episodic migraine (aged, 18-65 years) were randomly assigned to receive either MBSR+ (n = 50) or SMH (n = 48).

Disclosures: This study was funded by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health and National Institutes of Health. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Citation: Seminowicz DA et al. Pain. 2020 Mar 13. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001860.

Key clinical points: In episodic migraine, enhanced mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR+) is more effective than stress management for headache (SMH) in reducing headache and migraine days and headache related disability.

Major finding: At week 20, MBSR+ group vs. SHM group reported fewer headache days (4.6 vs. 6.0 headache days; P = .04) and had greater reduction in headache-related disability (59.6 to 54.6 vs 59.6 to 57.5; P =.02). Treatment response rate was higher in the MBSR+ group vs SMH group (52% vs. 23% reduction in headache days; P = .004). 

Study details: Patients with episodic migraine (aged, 18-65 years) were randomly assigned to receive either MBSR+ (n = 50) or SMH (n = 48).

Disclosures: This study was funded by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health and National Institutes of Health. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Citation: Seminowicz DA et al. Pain. 2020 Mar 13. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001860.

Key clinical points: Galcanezumab significantly reduces monthly headache frequency in patients with migraine and episodic cluster headache; 120 mg is superior to 240 mg for treatment of migraine and 300 mg is effective for episodic cluster headache with no increased risk for adverse events.

Major finding: Subcutaneous injections of galcanezumab 120 mg and 240 mg were associated with a significantly increased 50% response rate vs placebo for the treatment of migraine (120 mg: relative risk [RR], 1.51; 240 mg: RR, 1.58; P less than .001 for both). Galcanezumab 120 mg vs 240 mg had similar efficacy (50% response: RR, 1.06; 75% response: RR, 1.07; 100% response: RR, 1.06; migraine headache days: RR, -0.08) and lower risk for adverse effects (120 mg: RR, 1.06; 240 mg: RR, 1.17). Galcanezumab 300 mg dose was effective in reducing episodic cluster headache (RR, 1.36; P = .048).

Study details: Meta-analysis of 6 randomized controlled trials (n=3,889) evaluating the efficacy and safety of galcanezumab across different doses.

Disclosure: This study was supported by the Suzhou Health Talents Training Project. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Citation: Yang Y et al. J Headache Pain. 2020 Feb 11. doi: 10.1186/s10194-020-1085-x.

Key clinical points: Galcanezumab significantly reduces monthly headache frequency in patients with migraine and episodic cluster headache; 120 mg is superior to 240 mg for treatment of migraine and 300 mg is effective for episodic cluster headache with no increased risk for adverse events.

Major finding: Subcutaneous injections of galcanezumab 120 mg and 240 mg were associated with a significantly increased 50% response rate vs placebo for the treatment of migraine (120 mg: relative risk [RR], 1.51; 240 mg: RR, 1.58; P less than .001 for both). Galcanezumab 120 mg vs 240 mg had similar efficacy (50% response: RR, 1.06; 75% response: RR, 1.07; 100% response: RR, 1.06; migraine headache days: RR, -0.08) and lower risk for adverse effects (120 mg: RR, 1.06; 240 mg: RR, 1.17). Galcanezumab 300 mg dose was effective in reducing episodic cluster headache (RR, 1.36; P = .048).

Study details: Meta-analysis of 6 randomized controlled trials (n=3,889) evaluating the efficacy and safety of galcanezumab across different doses.

Disclosure: This study was supported by the Suzhou Health Talents Training Project. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Citation: Yang Y et al. J Headache Pain. 2020 Feb 11. doi: 10.1186/s10194-020-1085-x.

Key clinical points: Galcanezumab significantly reduces monthly headache frequency in patients with migraine and episodic cluster headache; 120 mg is superior to 240 mg for treatment of migraine and 300 mg is effective for episodic cluster headache with no increased risk for adverse events.

Major finding: Subcutaneous injections of galcanezumab 120 mg and 240 mg were associated with a significantly increased 50% response rate vs placebo for the treatment of migraine (120 mg: relative risk [RR], 1.51; 240 mg: RR, 1.58; P less than .001 for both). Galcanezumab 120 mg vs 240 mg had similar efficacy (50% response: RR, 1.06; 75% response: RR, 1.07; 100% response: RR, 1.06; migraine headache days: RR, -0.08) and lower risk for adverse effects (120 mg: RR, 1.06; 240 mg: RR, 1.17). Galcanezumab 300 mg dose was effective in reducing episodic cluster headache (RR, 1.36; P = .048).

Study details: Meta-analysis of 6 randomized controlled trials (n=3,889) evaluating the efficacy and safety of galcanezumab across different doses.

Disclosure: This study was supported by the Suzhou Health Talents Training Project. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Citation: Yang Y et al. J Headache Pain. 2020 Feb 11. doi: 10.1186/s10194-020-1085-x.

Key clinical point: Ubrogepant as an acute treatment for episodic migraine in adults is associated with an increased rate of achieving freedom from pain and absence of the most bothersome symptoms at 2 hours post-dose.

Major finding: At 2 hours post-dose, ubrogepant vs placebo use was associated with a significantly higher percentage of patients with pain freedom (20.80% vs 12.60%; relative risk [RR], 1.65) and absence of the most bothersome migraine-associated symptoms (37.34% vs 27.58%; RR, 1.35) (P less than .001 for both). No significant difference was observed in treatment-related adverse events within 48 hours or 30 days between the two groups.

Study details: Meta-analysis of 3 randomized clinical trials including 3,326 participants.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Suzhou Health Talents Training Project. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Citation: Yang Y et al. CNS Drugs. 2020 Mar 19. doi: 10.1007/s40263-020-00715-7.

Key clinical point: Ubrogepant as an acute treatment for episodic migraine in adults is associated with an increased rate of achieving freedom from pain and absence of the most bothersome symptoms at 2 hours post-dose.

Major finding: At 2 hours post-dose, ubrogepant vs placebo use was associated with a significantly higher percentage of patients with pain freedom (20.80% vs 12.60%; relative risk [RR], 1.65) and absence of the most bothersome migraine-associated symptoms (37.34% vs 27.58%; RR, 1.35) (P less than .001 for both). No significant difference was observed in treatment-related adverse events within 48 hours or 30 days between the two groups.

Study details: Meta-analysis of 3 randomized clinical trials including 3,326 participants.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Suzhou Health Talents Training Project. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Citation: Yang Y et al. CNS Drugs. 2020 Mar 19. doi: 10.1007/s40263-020-00715-7.

Key clinical point: Ubrogepant as an acute treatment for episodic migraine in adults is associated with an increased rate of achieving freedom from pain and absence of the most bothersome symptoms at 2 hours post-dose.

Major finding: At 2 hours post-dose, ubrogepant vs placebo use was associated with a significantly higher percentage of patients with pain freedom (20.80% vs 12.60%; relative risk [RR], 1.65) and absence of the most bothersome migraine-associated symptoms (37.34% vs 27.58%; RR, 1.35) (P less than .001 for both). No significant difference was observed in treatment-related adverse events within 48 hours or 30 days between the two groups.

Study details: Meta-analysis of 3 randomized clinical trials including 3,326 participants.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Suzhou Health Talents Training Project. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Citation: Yang Y et al. CNS Drugs. 2020 Mar 19. doi: 10.1007/s40263-020-00715-7.