Can a Diabetes Drug Help with Migraine?
Share
Migraines are more than just bad headaches. They are intense, often disabling attacks that can last for hours or even days. For people who suffer from frequent or chronic migraines, finding relief can be a challenge. Now, a new study has found that a medication originally designed for diabetes and weight loss might also help reduce migraine days, especially in people with obesity.
What Is Liraglutide?
Liraglutide is a drug commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. It works by acting on a hormone called GLP-1, which helps regulate blood sugar and appetite. But interestingly, it also appears to lower pressure inside the skull, which researchers believe might play a role in migraines.
The Link Between Obesity, Pressure in the Brain, and Migraine
People with obesity are more likely to have migraines that don’t respond well to common treatments. One theory is that increased pressure inside the skull, called intracranial pressure, could be a hidden factor. This pressure may irritate certain nerves and trigger migraines. In fact, some migraine patients get quick relief when a small amount of fluid is drained from their spinal cord to lower this pressure.
What Did the Study Find?
In this new pilot study, 31 patients with obesity and either high-frequency or chronic migraines took liraglutide for 12 weeks. All these patients had tried at least two standard migraine treatments without success.
The results were encouraging:
- The average number of monthly headache days dropped from about 20 to 11.
- Nearly half the patients had their headache days cut in half.
- Disability from migraines, measured by a standard score, was also greatly reduced.
Surprisingly, the improvement did not seem to be caused by weight loss. On average, patients lost very little weight, and those who lost more weight did not necessarily have fewer headaches. This suggests that liraglutide might help migraines through a different pathway, possibly by lowering brain pressure or reducing certain pain-related chemicals.
Is It Safe?
The drug was generally well tolerated. Some patients experienced mild stomach issues like nausea or constipation, but none had to stop the medication because of side effects.
What Makes This Study Important?
This is one of the first studies to look at liraglutide specifically for migraine prevention in people with obesity. The results show that the drug might offer relief where other treatments fail. Even better, it may work through a completely new way—by targeting pressure in the brain and the release of pain signals.
What Are the Limitations?
This was a small and early study. There was no comparison group, so it’s hard to say how much of the benefit came from the drug itself versus a placebo effect or natural changes. Also, the study only lasted 12 weeks, so we don’t know if the benefits last long term.
Should You Consider Liraglutide for Migraine?
If you have both obesity and frequent migraines that don’t respond to regular treatments, this new option may be worth discussing with your doctor. While it’s too early to recommend liraglutide for everyone with migraines, it offers a hopeful sign that new and effective treatments may be on the horizon.
Final Thoughts
This study opens the door to using a familiar medication in a new way. With more research, liraglutide and similar drugs could offer a fresh approach for people struggling with hard-to-treat migraines. If you’re living with chronic migraines and have not found relief, this could be a space to watch closely.