Diabetes Medication Shows Migraine Relief in Pilot Trial

Patients were carefully screened to exclude conditions like idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), ensuring the results were specific to migraine mechanisms. “Most patients felt better within the first two weeks and reported quality of life improved significantly,” said lead researcher Dr. Simone Braca. “The benefit lasted for the full three-month observation period, even though weight loss was modest and statistically non-significant.”

Although liraglutide is known to reduce body weight, researchers confirmed that its effect on migraines was independent of weight loss. Instead, the team hypothesized that the medication’s ability to modulate cerebrospinal fluid pressure could be key. “We think that, by modulating cerebrospinal fluid pressure and reducing intracranial venous sinuses compression, these drugs produce a decrease in the release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a key migraine-promoting peptide,” Dr. Braca explained.

Mild side effects such as nausea and constipation were reported in 38% of participants but did not lead to discontinuation.

Reference: https://www.ean.org/congress2025