Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) is a molecule that plays a central role in triggering and sustaining migraine attacks. Over the past several years, a new class of preventive migraine treatments — CGRP monoclonal antibodies — has transformed care for patients with frequent or disabling migraine who haven’t responded adequately to older preventive medications. Among these options, infusion-based anti-CGRP therapy offers a convenient, infrequent dosing schedule for suitable patients.
Dr. Kavita Poply offers anti-CGRP infusion therapy as part of a comprehensive migraine management plan, for patients who meet the clinical criteria for this advanced preventive treatment.
What is Anti-CGRP Infusion Therapy?
Anti-CGRP therapies work by targeting CGRP or its receptor, blocking the signalling pathway that drives migraine attacks. While several CGRP-targeted medications are given by regular self-injection, one option — eptinezumab — is delivered as an intravenous (IV) infusion, administered in a clinical setting once every three months. This infusion approach allows the medication to reach a therapeutic level in the bloodstream quickly, which some patients and clinicians find advantageous compared to daily or monthly self-administered options.
This treatment is specifically a preventive therapy, meaning it’s designed to reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks over time, rather than treat an attack that’s already underway.
Who This Treatment Is For
- Patients with chronic migraine (15+ headache days per month, with migrainous features)
- Patients with frequent episodic migraine significantly affecting quality of life
- Patients who have not responded adequately to standard oral preventive medications
- Patients who prefer an infrequent, clinic-administered dosing schedule over daily tablets or self-injection
- Patients who have found other CGRP-targeted treatments effective but prefer the infusion format
Symptoms That May Indicate You Need This Treatment
- Migraine attacks occurring frequently despite standard preventive treatment
- Migraine significantly disrupting work, family life, or daily function
- Inadequate response or intolerable side effects from oral preventive medications
- A need for faster onset of preventive benefit than some other options provide
How the Infusion Works
The infusion is administered intravenously in a clinical setting, with the full session typically taking around 30 minutes. Because it’s delivered directly into the bloodstream, the medication reaches therapeutic levels more rapidly than oral or subcutaneous alternatives, and many patients report a noticeable reduction in migraine days within the first month, with effects generally sustained through each three-month dosing interval.
Our Approach to Treatment
Comprehensive Assessment
A detailed review of headache frequency, pattern, and previous treatments — including headache diaries where helpful — to confirm the patient meets recognised criteria for CGRP-targeted preventive therapy.
Personalised Treatment Plan
Given that CGRP therapies are prescribed following specific clinical criteria, treatment planning includes discussing suitability, expected benefits, and how this fits alongside any existing migraine management strategies.
Procedure Overview
- Administered as a 30-minute intravenous infusion in a clinical setting
- Given once every 3 months (quarterly dosing)
- No self-injection required between clinic visits
- Patients are monitored during and shortly after the infusion
- Effects are typically assessed over the first one to two dosing cycles
- Can be continued long-term for patients who respond well
Benefits of Anti-CGRP Infusion Therapy
- Targets a key molecular driver of migraine directly
- Infrequent, quarterly dosing rather than daily tablets or frequent self-injections
- Rapid attainment of therapeutic drug levels due to IV delivery
- Evidence-based option for patients who haven’t responded to standard preventive treatments
- Can reduce both frequency and severity of migraine attacks over time
Why Choose Expert Care?
CGRP-targeted therapies are prescribed following specific clinical criteria and require careful patient selection and monitoring to achieve the best results. With a patient-centred approach, Dr. Kavita Poply ensures patients are properly assessed for suitability and monitored through their treatment course.
Book Your Consultation
If frequent migraine attacks continue to disrupt your life despite standard treatment, anti-CGRP infusion therapy may be a suitable next step. Book your consultation today to discuss your eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.1 How is the CGRP infusion different from other migraine injections?
Ans. Most CGRP-targeted medications are given as regular self-administered injections under the skin, whereas this infusion option is delivered intravenously in a clinical setting once every three months, offering a different dosing convenience for suitable patients.
Q.2 How quickly does anti-CGRP infusion therapy work?
Ans. Many patients notice a reduction in migraine frequency within the first month after their initial infusion, though full benefit is often better assessed after the first one to two dosing cycles.
Q.3 Are there side effects with CGRP infusion therapy?
Ans. As with any infusion-based medication, mild reactions such as infusion-site discomfort or fatigue can occur, and any prior history of reactions to infused medications should be discussed during assessment.
Q.4 Can I try anti-CGRP therapy if oral migraine medications haven’t worked?
Ans. Yes — this is a key group of patients for whom CGRP-targeted preventive therapy is considered, following an assessment confirming that standard preventive options have not provided adequate relief.