A recent study suggests that weight loss injections may help reduce the frequency of migraines in women. The research presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul revealed that women who received appetite-suppressing injections needed less medication to manage severe migraine attacks.
The study, based on Danish health registry data, included 150,000 individuals who initiated treatment with Wegovy or Ozempic between 2022 and 2024. Results showed that women on these injections required triptan drugs, the primary treatment for migraines, 8% less often. The most significant reduction in triptan use, at 18%, was observed in women aged 18 to 35.
Researchers believe that the injections, which replicate the hormone GLP-1, may alleviate migraines due to their anti-inflammatory properties. They speculate that the injections could directly impact the central nervous system and influence migraine pathways.
Migraines affect around ten million people in the UK, with women experiencing them more frequently. Symptoms include intense throbbing pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and heightened sensitivity to light, sound, and odors, lasting for days.
The study was sponsored by Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of semaglutide (Wegovy) and Ozempic, prescribed for weight loss and Type 2 diabetes, respectively. The majority of participants were women with an average age of 50.
Noémie Roland, the study author and assistant professor at the University of Southern Denmark, emphasized the gradual decrease in triptan use among women following the initiation of semaglutide. Further randomized clinical studies are necessary to confirm whether the injections have a direct anti-migraine effect beyond weight loss.
Triptan use was compared before and after starting weight loss injections, revealing a steady decline in reliance on these drugs for migraine management. Rob Music, CEO of the Migraine Trust, highlighted the importance of further research in addressing migraine, particularly its impact on women.
In conclusion, while initial findings suggest the potential benefits of GLP-1 agonists in alleviating migraine symptoms in women, additional research is warranted in this area.