The aim of this study is to assess experiences with erenumab for the treatment of chronic migraine in a real-life clinical setting at a clinic specializing in headache medicine.

Erenumab, a monoclonal antibody against the CGRP receptor, has been studied in clinical trials for the prevention of migraine. However these trials excluded individuals who previously failed more than three classes of preventive medications or who were currently using preventive medications including botulinum toxin. Due to the use of these exclusion criteria, there is uncertainty regarding the utility and efficacy of erenumab in a real-life setting.

This is an observational study of chronic migraine patients who were prescribed erenumab by the UR Headache Center. Responses to erenumab were recorded after 3 and 6 months of treatment. Endpoints included the change in mean monthly migraine/headache days and change in migraine disability scores from baseline to months 3 and 6.

Data from 93 chronic migraine patients was included in the study. The majority of patients had previously tried 5 or more preventive medications including botulinum toxin. Preliminary results show that the mean number of monthly migraine days was reduced from 16.5 at baseline to 7.5 after 3 months of erenumab treatment. Migraine disability scores also improved from 62 to 49. Of the 43% of patients who were receiving botulinum toxin injections, 42.5% were able to taper or discontinue this treatment. Data from the 6 month follow up period is pending.

Erenumab treatment resulted in reduced migraine frequency and disability in a population of refractory chronic migraine patients.