Are CGRPs Right for Me?

1 min read

With the flurry of information surrounding the CGRPs for migraine, it can be tricky to keep up. We've created a downloadable list of questions you can ask your doctor to see if you're a good candidate for CGRP gepants (acute treatment) or CGRP monoclonal antibodies (preventive treatment).

What should you ask about CGRPs for migraine?

Which treatment do you think I should try first & why?
What dosing option (dose amount-m.g. and/or frequency) will be best for me & why?
How soon can I expect to know whether or not the treatment is working and/or effective for me?
How should I properly store the medication?
Am I able to take other medications with CGRPs?

What should you ask about side effects?

Will the injections be painful?
Have you heard of any other side effects other than what has been reported during the clinical trials that I should be concerned about?
If I experience any side effects from this medication, what should I do next?

What should you ask about the cost?

Will my insurance cover it?
What if I am denied? Can I appeal or are there any other options?
Is this a “tiered” medication? Will I have to “fail” another treatment first before my insurance approves this
for me?
If I’m not insured, can I get this medication?
Are there any financial assistance programs available?

Download a Printable Copy

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Migraine.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

Join the conversation

Please read our rules before commenting.

Tom Picerno Moderator & Contributor
I am currently on month four of Ajovy and have been doing well. My pain scale has dropped off now from 8,9,and 10 to 5,6,7,and 8. The relief is modest but I'll take that over being crushed by the pain during an attack. I am also in a period of intractable migraine so any relief is welcome. My neurologist and I have set a goal for six months of treatment before we do a complete evaluation of how it worked for me. I heard via a seminar during the Migraine Summit that if one CGRP does not work another might just as is the case for triptans.
Marcellus Member
When will, or has Medicare already, approved coverage for any of the three CDRPS? I don't care if some have provided bridge financing for 2 months, a full year, or whatnot. I'm not about to start a program, benefit from it—assuming it makes a difference for a 66-yr old Male who has had episodics most of my life from childhood, until it changed overnight (literally) last week of July 1994, and became the "New Daily Chronic Migraines." Since then I have had 1-3 breakthrough migraines each day. I tried every conceivable medical treatment protocols, including with a migraine specialist connected with John Hopkins University Medical; also all known at the time non-traditional and/or "natural" treatments. By 2009 my chronic daily migraines disease had become Intractable or Refractory. So my local specialist recommended that in addition to the preventive I do tolerate wellll
misseiserman Member
I’ve been on Amiovig for over a year, I did stop for a about five months then my migraines became much worse. My neuro increased the dose of Amiovig per my request. I just thought my depressed and suicidal thoughts were due my migraine issues. However, the fatigue, muscle spasms, and generalized pain is not from migraines. Amiovig is literally killing. I’m so angry with myself for increasing the dose of this migraine medication. I have not been myself since starting on this medication. I afraid to try another medication like Amiovig. I’ve lost so much with migraines and now because of Amiovig- I just want my life back.
Krista Member
FDA article on CGRP mechanism and new drugs: <a href='https://www.fda.gov/drugs/news-events-human-drugs/new-drug-class-employs-novel-mechanism-migraine-treatment-and-prevention' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://www.fda.gov/drugs/news-events-human-drugs/new-drug-class-employs-novel-mechanism-migraine-treatment-and-prevention</a>
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Krista" user-id="4506320"/> Thank you for sharing this resource with our community. Warmly- Holly <a href='https://-migraine.com' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>-migraine.com</a> team.