Key clinical points: Galcanezumab significantly reduces monthly headache frequency in patients with migraine and episodic cluster headache; 120 mg is superior to 240 mg for treatment of migraine and 300 mg is effective for episodic cluster headache with no increased risk for adverse events.
Major finding: Subcutaneous injections of galcanezumab 120 mg and 240 mg were associated with a significantly increased 50% response rate vs placebo for the treatment of migraine (120 mg: relative risk [RR], 1.51; 240 mg: RR, 1.58; P less than .001 for both). Galcanezumab 120 mg vs 240 mg had similar efficacy (50% response: RR, 1.06; 75% response: RR, 1.07; 100% response: RR, 1.06; migraine headache days: RR, -0.08) and lower risk for adverse effects (120 mg: RR, 1.06; 240 mg: RR, 1.17). Galcanezumab 300 mg dose was effective in reducing episodic cluster headache (RR, 1.36; P = .048).
Study details: Meta-analysis of 6 randomized controlled trials (n=3,889) evaluating the efficacy and safety of galcanezumab across different doses.
Disclosure: This study was supported by the Suzhou Health Talents Training Project. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Citation: Yang Y et al. J Headache Pain. 2020 Feb 11. doi: 10.1186/s10194-020-1085-x.