How do CGRP monoclonal antibodies differ from gepants in clinical use?

Prepare for the Pharmacology IV – Headache Therapeutics Test. Review the therapeutic approaches, tackle multiple-choice questions with explanations, and boost your test-taking confidence. Ace your exam with precision!

The main concept is that these two classes are used differently in migraine management. CGRP monoclonal antibodies are designed for long-term prevention and are given by injections on a regular schedule (monthly for most, with one option dosing every three months). They work by providing a steady blockade of CGRP signaling to reduce how often migraine attacks occur. Gepants are oral small molecules that block CGRP signaling and are primarily used to treat an attack as it happens (acute treatment), taken as needed. While one gepant has been explored for preventive use, its hallmark clinical use remains acute management, not scheduled injections. Therefore, labeling CGRP monoclonal antibodies as preventive therapies with ongoing injections best captures their typical clinical role, while gepants are not used in the same preventive, injection-based manner.