HeadWise New Migraine Research: GLP-1s, Breastfeeding Safety, and NDPH
Sep 17, 2025
Dr. Tim Smith, CEO of Study Metrics Research and a leading expert in migraine studies, joins the show to discuss groundbreaking migraine research. He shares insights on GLP-1 medications potentially reducing migraine days without weight loss. The safety of ubrogepant during breastfeeding is highlighted, along with promising results for memantine in adolescents. Smith also delves into the connection between Ajovy, migraine relief, and depression. Interestingly, he notes why new daily persistent headaches differ in treatment response and reveals a lunar link to migraine attacks.
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GLP-1s May Reduce Migraines Independently
- Liraglutide (a GLP-1 agonist) reduced migraine days significantly in an open-label pilot, independent of weight loss.
- This suggests a non-weight mechanism, possibly anti-inflammatory or CGRP-related, deserves further study.
Ubrogepant Shows Minimal Breastmilk Transfer
- The ubrogepant (Ubrelvy) lactation study found negligible transfer into breastmilk after a 100 mg dose.
- Clinicians can consider this data reassuring when discussing ubrogepant use in breastfeeding, pending label updates.
Memantine Helps Severe Adolescent Migraine
- Memantine reduced average monthly migraine days in adolescents from 22 to 15 in a retrospective chart review.
- Its glutamate-inhibiting action makes it a plausible, low-cost option for refractory pediatric migraine prophylaxis.