The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has highlighted the significant impact of new NHS-approved pills in alleviating migraines. These groundbreaking tablets, atogepant and rimegepant, have garnered rapid adoption since their approval. By inhibiting the release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a protein triggering severe inflammation in the brain’s coverings, these medications have shown promising results.
Joanne McShane, a dedicated NHS health visitor, shared her life-changing experience with atogepant. Suffering from migraines for a decade, Joanne found relief with the new medication, stating that it has completely eliminated her headaches and restored her quality of life.
Migraines affect one in seven individuals in the UK, characterized by intense pain, nausea, fatigue, and heightened sensitivity to light, sound, and odors. Joanne, who used to endure six migraine attacks monthly, described the debilitating impact on her daily life and social interactions.
Traditionally, preventive migraine treatments involved medications like antidepressants and beta-blockers, often accompanied by adverse effects. The introduction of atogepant and rimegepant as oral alternatives has seen a substantial increase in prescriptions, with over 22,800 individuals receiving these tablets in England in 2025.
Helen Knight, NICE’s director of medicines evaluation, emphasized the transformative effect of these medications on migraine sufferers and expressed optimism for broader access to the treatment in the future. While the tablets offer a more accessible form of CGRP-targeting therapy compared to injections or infusions, NICE advises careful consideration in prescribing, particularly for patients who have not exhausted other preventive treatment options.
Dr. Kay Kennis, a GP and neurology specialist, highlighted the importance of appropriate prescription practices to optimize resources and improve patient outcomes. Encouraging early identification of migraine symptoms in clinical assessments can facilitate timely access to advanced treatment options like atogepant and rimegepant.
By enhancing GPs’ confidence in diagnosing migraines and initiating suitable treatments sooner, patients can benefit from improved management strategies and a better quality of life.
