Medizinische Monatsschrift für Pharmazeuten
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Migraine is a complex neurological disorder that affects a significant proportion of the adult population worldwide. It is associated with an increase in plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) level. CGRP, a neuropeptide released from activated trigeminal sensory nerves, dilates intracranial blood vessels and transmits vascular nociception. ⋯ Both intravenous applied olcegepant (BIBN 4096) and the oral telcagepant (MK-0974) were tested in clinical trials and showed clinical benefit and excellent tolerability, with recent presentation of phase III data on telcagepant suggesting that proof of concept is positive. CGRP receptor antagonists terminate migraine with efficacy similar to triptans. The results from clinical trials suggest that this new type of drug might offer advantages over existing therapies without vasoconstrictive or vascular side effects.