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1Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, 214000 Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
*Corresponding Author(s):lling_hu0604@163.com (Lingling Hu)
| History | Submitted: 18 June 2024 | Accepted: 14 September 2024 | Published: 12 December 2024 |
| Copyright: | ©2024 The Author(s). Published by MRE Press. |

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of episodic and chronic migraine was invetigated. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in Ovid Medline, Web of Science and Embase databases from their inception until April 2024 for randomized controlled trials comparing CGRP monoclonal antibodies with placebo or other active treatments in adults with episodic or chronic migraine. The primary outcome assessed was the incidence of hypertension, and secondary outcomes were tolerability, acceptability and adverse events. Data analysis was performed using a random-effects model, and the strength of evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. A total of eleven studies involving 9729 participants were found eligible and included for data analysis. The results revealed that the pooled odds ratio for the incidence of hypertension in patients receiving CGRP monoclonal antibodies compared to placebo was (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.60, 2.21; I2 = 32%), suggesting no significant increase in hypertension risk. Moreover, no significant differences were observed in tolerability or acceptability between the CGRP monoclonal antibody and placebo groups. However, the overall risk of total adverse events was significantly higher in the CGRP monoclonal antibody group (odds ratio (OR): 1.13; 95% CI: 0.97, 1.33; I2 = 56%; p = 0.01). These findings indicate that CGRP monoclonal antibodies are well-tolerated and present a generally safe option for treating episodic and chronic migraine. Although there was no significant increase in the incidence of hypertension, a slight rise in overall adverse events was observed. Consequently, CGRP monoclonal antibodies may be considered a viable treatment option for patients who have not found other treatments effective or tolerable, or who have contraindications to alternative therapies. The study protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (http://www.crd.york.ac.uk, registration number: CRD42024554897).
Cite this article
Meiqi Di, Lingling Hu, Shuhua Gui, Chaosheng Li, Likun Han. Assessing the occurrence of hypertension in patients receiving calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies for episodic and chronic migraine: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Oral & Facial Pain and Headache. 2024; 38(4): 24-32. doi: 10.22514/jofph.2024.036
Migraine is a prevalent neurological disorder affecting millions of individuals worldwide. It can be categorized into chronic migraine (CM) and episodic migraine (EM) based on the frequency of headache occurrences. According to the 2016 Global Burden of Disease Study, migraine is the second leading cause of global disability and the primary cause of disability among women aged 15–49 years [1]. Neurological disorders, including migraine, are increasingly recognized as major contributors to global death and disability [2, 3]. The pathophysiology of migraine is primarily associated with the activation of the trigeminovascular system and the release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a neuropeptide that plays a critical role in migraine pathogenesis [4]. Given the substantial burden of migraine and its impact on quality of life, the development of effective treatment options remains pivotal.
Current preventive treatments for migraine include monoclonal antibodies, such as erenumab, galcanezumab and fremanezumab, that can target the CGRP pathway. These pharmacologic agents have demonstrated efficacy in reducing the frequency and severity of migraine episodes [5, 6]. Specifically, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown that erenumab significantly reduces the number of monthly migraine days in patients with EM when administered at doses of 70 or 140 mg over a 9–12 week period [4]. However, concerns have been raised about a potential association between these treatments and hypertension [7]. As cardiovascular safety is a critical consideration, it is important to assess the risks and benefits of these newly developed migraine treatments.
Given the need for both effective and safe migraine therapies, evaluating the cardiovascular safety profile of CGRP monoclonal antibodies is essential for patients with CM or EM, as defined by the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (ICHD-3Ed) criteria. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to provide a comprehensive assessment of the cardiovascular safety associated with CGRP monoclonal antibodies. By synthesizing the available evidence, this study seeks to enhance the understanding of the risks and benefits of these medications, thereby informing clinical decision-making and improving patient care. The findings could be particularly relevant for healthcare professionals managing migraine patients and for researchers working to develop safer and more effective migraine treatments in the future.
This systematic review and meta-analysis adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines [8], which were supplemented by an assessment tool for systematic reviews. The study protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (http://www.crd.york.ac.uk, registration number: CRD42024554897).
A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the Ovid Medline, Web of Science and Embase databases from their inception until April 2024. The search strategy utilized the InterTASC Information Specialists’ Sub-Group (ISSG) Search Filters Resource [9], and detailed search strategies are provided in the Supplementary material. Additionally, reference lists from relevant systematic reviews and meta-analyses were manually reviewed to identify any additional pertinent studies.
Studies were considered included if they (1) were RCTs comparing CGRP monoclonal antibodies with placebo or other active treatments in adults (≥18 years) with episodic or CM, including gepants as a comparison group due to their shared mechanism of action in inhibiting the CGRP pathway; (2) reported at least one of the following outcomes: tolerability, acceptability, the incidence of hypertension, or the number of adverse events; and (3) were published in English. Titles and abstracts were independently screened by two reviewers, followed by full-text assessments for eligibility. Any discrepancies were resolved through mutual discussion or by consulting a third reviewer.
Data extraction for study characteristics, participant demographics, intervention details and outcome measures was performed independently by two reviewers using a standardized form. The risk of bias in the included RCTs was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. Any discrepancies in data extraction and quality assessment were resolved through discussion or by involving a third reviewer.
The primary outcome was the incidence of hypertension, and the secondary outcomes included tolerability (defined as the proportion of participants who did not discontinue the study due to adverse events), acceptability (defined as the proportion of participants who completed the study), and the number of adverse events in each group.
All analyses adhered to the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle. For each outcome, event proportions in each group were calculated, and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated. Meta-analyses were conducted using a random-effects model with the Mantel-Haenszel method. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the type of CGRP monoclonal antibody and migraine diagnosis (episodic or chronic). Sensitivity analyses excluded studies with a high risk of bias. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots and Egger’s test. Statistical analyses were conducted using R software (version 4.0.3), with a two-sided p-value < 0.05 considered statistically significant. All analyses were also performed using RevMan Review Manager software version 5.4.1.
The strength of evidence for each outcome was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach. This assessment considered the risk of bias, inconsistency, indirectness, imprecision and publication bias. Evidence was categorized as high, moderate, low or very low.
The initial literature search identified a total of 1360 records from Ovid Medline (n = 21 records), Embase (n = 1315 records), and Web of Science (n = 24 records). After removing 1063 duplicate records, 497 unique records remained for further assessment. An additional 20 duplicate articles were excluded during the full-text assessment, leaving 477 full-text articles for evaluation based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of these, 462 studies were excluded due to lack of data on relevant outcomes, involvement of study types other than RCTs, or evaluation of unrelated interventions. Ultimately, 15 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis, and 11 studies were included in the quantitative synthesis for meta-analysis, following the exclusion of studies lacking necessary data (Fig. 1) [10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19]. The risk of bias assessment (Fig. 2) showed that most studies had a low risk of bias, though a few domains raised some concerns or indicated a high risk of bias.

Fig. 1.Study flow diagram.

Fig. 2.Risk of bias.
The meta-analysis included a total of 9729 participants, with the largest study being Ashina 2022, which evaluated erenumab in 2682 participants with episodic or CM over 24 weeks. All studies assessed the tolerability and safety of CGRP monoclonal antibodies for treating episodic or CM (Table 1). The participants’ mean ages ranged from 39.9 to 46.8 years, and most studies included both episodic and CM patients. The interventions studied were AMG 301 (erenumab), erenumab, TEV-48125 (fremanezumab), telcagepant, zavegepant, LY2951742 (galcanezumab) and fremanezumab. All studies were RCTs comparing active treatments to placebo.
| Source | Sample size | Age, mean, SD | Subtype | Study type | Intervention/Control | No. of Patients Intervention/Placebo | Quantity, dose | Route of administration | Treatment duration | Outcomes of interest assessed |
| Ashina 2021 | 343 | 42.5 (9.5) 41.8 (9.9) | Episodic or Chronic | RCT | AMG 301/Placebo | 206/137 | AMG 301 70 mg; Placebo | Subcutaneous injection | 12 wk | Tolerability and safety |
| Ashina 2022 | 2682 | 41.6 (11.2) 41.8 (11.15) | Episodic or Chronic | RCT | Erenumab/Placebo | 1400/1043 | Erenumab 7 mg; Erenumab 21 mg; Erenumab 70 mg; Placebo | Subcutaneous injection | 24 wk | Tolerability and safety |
| Bigal 2015 | 297 | 40.8 (12.5) 42.0 (11.6) | Episodic or Chronic | RCT | TEV-48125/Placebo | 191/95 | TEV-48125 225 mg; TEV-48125 675 mg; Placebo | Subcutaneous injection | 28 d | Tolerability and safety |
| Connor 2009 | 1294 | 41.7 (11.3) 41.9 (11.9) | Episodic | RCT | Telcagepant/Placebo | 929/365 | Telcagepant 50 mg; Telcagepant 150 mg; Telcagepant 300 mg; Placebo | Oral | 2 h | Tolerability and safety |
| Croop 2022 | 1673 | 41.1 (12.9) 39.9 (12.0) | Episodic | RCT | Zavegepant/Placebo | 1253/420 | Zavegepant 5 mg; Zavegepant 10 mg; Zavegepant 20 mg; Placebo | Nasal spray | 2 h | Tolerability and safety |
| Dodick 2014 | 218 | 40.9 (11.4) 41.9 (11.7) | Episodic | RCT | LY2951742/Placebo | 108/110 | LY2951742 150 mg; Placebo | Subcutaneous injection | 12 wk | Tolerability and safety |
| Ferrari 2019 | 838 | 45.9 (11.0) 46.8 (11.1) | Episodic or Chronic | RCT | Fremanezumab/Placebo | 559/279 | Fremanezumab 675 mg; Fremanezumab 225 mg; Placebo | Subcutaneous injection | 12 wk | Tolerability and safety |
| Goadsby 2017 | 955 | 40.8 (11.2) 41.3 (11.2) | Episodic | RCT | Erenumab/Placebo | 635/319 | Erenumab 140 mg; Placebo | Subcutaneous injection | 24 wk | Tolerability and safety |
| Reuter 2018 | 246 | 44.6 (10.5) 44.2 (10.6) | Episodic | RCT | Erenumab/Placebo | 121/125 | Erenumab 140 mg; Placebo | Subcutaneous injection | 12 wk | Tolerability and safety |
| Skljarevski 2018 | 922 | 41.4 (11.0) 42.3 (11.3) | Episodic | RCT | Galcanezumab/Placebo | 454/461 | Galcanezumab 120 mg; Galcanezumab 240 mg; Placebo | Subcutaneous injection | 6 mon | Tolerability and safety |
| Takeshima 2021 | 261 | 44.2 (8.5) 44.6 (9.3) | Episodic or Chronic | RCT | Erenumab/Placebo | 130/131 | Erenumab 70 mg; Placebo | Subcutaneous injection | 24 wk | Tolerability and safety |
| SD: standard deviation; RCT: randomized controlled trial. |
The routes of administration varied among the interventions, with subcutaneous injection being the most common (9 studies), followed by oral administration (1 study) and nasal spray (1 study). Treatment durations ranged from 2 hours for acute migraine treatments (telcagepant and zavegepant) to 24 weeks for preventive treatments (erenumab, fremanezumab and galcanezumab). The primary outcomes assessed across all studies were tolerability and safety.
Overall, the studies encompassed a diverse array of CGRP monoclonal antibodies, routes of administration, treatment durations and patient populations, offering a comprehensive dataset for evaluating the tolerability and safety of these treatments for episodic and CM.
The incidence of hypertension was reported in 8 studies, encompassing a total of 5251 patients. Data analysis showed that the pooled OR for hypertension in patients receiving CGRP monoclonal antibodies compared to placebo was 1.15 (95% CI: 0.60, 2.21; I2 = 32%; Fig. 3). Subgroup analyses, which were based on specific drugs and treatment durations, did not reveal significant differences in hypertension incidence between the intervention and placebo groups.

Fig. 3.The forest plot and funnel plot of incidence of hypertension, subgroup analysis by erenumab and treatment duration. CI: confidence interval; M-H: Mantel-Haenszel test; SE: standard Error; OR: odds ratio.
Tolerability data were available from all studies, involving a total of 5465 patients. The pooled OR for tolerability in patients receiving CGRP monoclonal antibodies compared to placebo was 1.32 (95% CI: 0.82, 2.14; I2 = 0%; Fig. 4). Acceptability was reported in all studies as well, with the pooled OR for acceptability in patients receiving CGRP monoclonal antibodies compared to placebo being 0.92 (95% CI: 0.77, 1.11; I2 = 13%; Fig. 5).

Fig. 4.The forest plot and funnel plot of tolerability. CI: confidence interval; M-H: Mantel-Haenszel test; SE: standard Error; OR: odds ratio.

Fig. 5.The forest plot and funnel plot of acceptability. CI: confidence interval; M-H: Mantel-Haenszel test; SE: standard Error; OR: odds ratio.
All studies reported data on adverse events. The summary results indicated that the risk of total adverse events was significantly higher in the intervention group compared to placebo, with a pooled OR of 1.13 (95% CI: 0.97, 1.33; I2 = 56%; p = 0.01; Fig. 6).

Fig. 6.The forest plot and funnel plot of adverse events. CI: confidence interval; M-H: Mantel-Haenszel test; SE: standard Error; OR: odds ratio.
This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrate that CGRP monoclonal antibodies are generally well-tolerated and safe for the treatment of episodic and CM. The pooled data showed no significant difference in the incidence of hypertension, tolerability or acceptability between CGRP monoclonal antibodies and placebo. However, there was a slight increase in the risk of total adverse events associated with CGRP monoclonal antibodies compared to placebo.
Real-world studies provide additional context for these findings. For example, a study by Muñoz-Vendrell [20] identified an increased risk of hypertension among patients with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions, highlighting the necessity for blood pressure monitoring in this population. Another study reported a low overall risk of hypertension but noted an increased incidence of cardiovascular events in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease [21, 22]. These observations suggest that while RCTs provide controlled conditions for assessing drug safety, real-world settings may reveal additional risks that warrant careful consideration.
The decision to use CGRP monoclonal antibodies versus other migraine treatments should consider factors such as patient characteristics, migraine attack profiles, and the safety and efficacy of available options [23]. Our review supports the use of CGRP monoclonal antibodies as a safe and well-tolerated treatment for patients who have not found other treatments effective or tolerable, or who have contraindications to alternative therapies.
Concerns regarding the potential risk of hypertension with CGRP monoclonal antibodies have been reported in recent studies. A retrospective cohort study found that 23.3% of patients treated with erenumab experienced worsening blood pressure, suggesting the need for ongoing blood pressure monitoring [24]. Similarly, a prospective follow-up study observed increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients receiving erenumab and fremanezumab, with some requiring antihypertensive medication [25]. However, a separate retrospective study indicated that although 5.7% of patients had a significant increase in blood pressure, the overall risk of hypertension with anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies remained low [26]. Patients with pre-existing hypertension were more likely to experience significant blood pressure increases, emphasizing the importance of monitoring this patient subgroup [23, 27]. These findings underscore the need for careful blood pressure management in patients receiving CGRP monoclonal antibodies, particularly those with existing hypertension or cardiovascular risk factors.
One notable advantage of CGRP monoclonal antibodies is their non-vasoconstrictive mechanism of action [28], which is particularly important for individuals with a history of cardiovascular events or multiple vascular risk factors, as triptans and ergot alkaloids—commonly used for acute migraine treatment—are vasoactive and should be avoided in these populations [28]. Additionally, CGRP monoclonal antibodies may be a suitable option for patients with gastrointestinal, kidney or cardiac comorbidities that limit the use of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) [29, 30].
The adverse events assessed in this review were found to be associated with immediate exposure to CGRP monoclonal antibodies. However, long-term safety data on these agents remain limited, and further research is needed to evaluate the potential risks associated with prolonged use [30]. It is important to monitor patients for adverse events and adjust treatment plans as necessary. The selection between pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments for migraine should consider patient preference, tolerability and contraindications. While non-pharmacologic treatments, such as neuromodulation devices, have demonstrated promise in improving various pain measures, their evidence base remains limited compared to pharmacologic interventions [31]. Additionally, cost and lack of insurance coverage may pose barriers for many patients who need to access these devices. Current guidelines advise against the use of opioids and butalbital-containing medications for acute migraine treatment due to their low efficacy and high risk of adverse events [32]. Herein, our review found limited or insufficient evidence supporting the use of opioids for migraine management, with opioids being associated with higher rates of adverse effects compared to other treatment options or placebo. Consequently, the recommendations against opioids in current clinical guidelines remain valid.
This systematic review and meta-analysis has several limitations that should be considered when interpreting the results. First, the studies included in the analysis varied in design, patient populations, and treatment durations, contributing to heterogeneity in some analyses. Notably, eptinezumab was not included due to a lack of relevant studies, highlighting a gap that future research should address. Although gepants were included to provide a broader context for CGRP pathway inhibition, the focus of the review was on monoclonal antibodies, and the analysis did not encompass all gepants or CGRP monoclonal antibodies. Further research is needed to fully explore these treatments. Second, the long-term safety and efficacy of CGRP monoclonal antibodies beyond the studied treatment durations remain uncertain. Additional research is required to evaluate the potential risks and benefits of prolonged use. Third, a majority of the included studies were funded by pharmaceutical companies, which may introduce a degree of bias. Fourth, the review did not assess the comparative effectiveness of CGRP monoclonal antibodies against other established migraine treatments. Future head-to-head trials are needed to determine their relative efficacy and safety. Finally, the cost-effectiveness of CGRP monoclonal antibodies was not evaluated, an important consideration for patients, healthcare providers and policymakers. Despite these limitations, the review offers valuable insights into the tolerability and safety of CGRP monoclonal antibodies for treating episodic and CM.
This systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that the use of CGRP monoclonal antibodies for treating episodic and CM does not result in a significant increase in the incidence of hypertension. Nevertheless, further research is necessary to evaluate the long-term cardiovascular safety of these medications and to identify any potential risk factors for developing hypertension during treatment.
All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article and supplementary material.
MQD—Prepare materials and experiments, perform experiments and wrote the first draft. LLH, SHG, CSL and LKH—Collect data and perform analysis. All authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors contributed to the study conception and design. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
This research received no external funding.
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Supplementary material associated with this article can be found, in the online version, at https://files.jofph.com/files/article/1867092379311194112/attachment/Supplementary%20material.docx.