CGRP antagonists (gepants and anti-CGRP antibodies)
Migraine medicines that block CGRP, a neuropeptide released by trigeminal nerves: monthly antibodies for prevention and oral gepants.
What they are
Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a potent vasodilator and pro-inflammatory neuropeptide whose levels rise during migraine. The class has two families: monoclonal antibodies given by injection to prevent migraine (erenumab blocks the CGRP receptor; fremanezumab, galcanezumab and eptinezumab bind CGRP itself) and small-molecule receptor antagonists, the gepants (rimegepant, ubrogepant, atogepant), taken by mouth.
Mechanism of action
Blocking CGRP or its receptor interrupts a key signal of the trigeminovascular system: less vasodilation and less neurogenic inflammation, and fewer or milder migraine days.
Target: CGRP or the CGRP receptor
Drugs in this class
- ErenumabA monthly injected monoclonal antibody that blocks the CGRP receptor and prevents migraine; it does not treat an…CGRP receptor (calcitonin receptor-like receptor, CALCRL)
- RimegepantAn oral CGRP receptor blocker that dissolves on or under the tongue. It treats migraine attacks and can also prevent…CGRP receptor (calcitonin receptor-like receptor, CALCRL, with RAMP1)
- AtogepantAn oral CGRP receptor blocker taken every day to prevent migraine. It does not treat an attack that has already started.CGRP receptor (calcitonin receptor-like receptor, CALCRL, with RAMP1)
- UbrogepantAn oral CGRP receptor blocker for migraine attacks. It does not prevent migraine or reduce the number of headaches.CGRP receptor (calcitonin receptor-like receptor, CALCRL, with RAMP1)
- FremanezumabA monoclonal antibody that traps the CGRP peptide. Injected under the skin monthly or every three months to prevent…CGRP peptide (the ligand, not the receptor)
- GalcanezumabA monoclonal antibody against the CGRP peptide, injected under the skin. It prevents migraine and is also used for…CGRP peptide (the ligand, not the receptor)
Others in the class
- Fremanezumab
- Galcanezumab
- Eptinezumab
- Rimegepant
- Ubrogepant
- Atogepant
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
What is CGRP?
Calcitonin gene-related peptide, a vasodilator and pro-inflammatory neuropeptide released by trigeminal nerves in migraine.
Which anti-CGRP antibody blocks the receptor rather than the peptide?
Erenumab.
What are gepants?
Small-molecule oral CGRP receptor antagonists (e.g., rimegepant, ubrogepant, atogepant).
Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.
Sources: Erenumab-aooe Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); RCSB PDB - 6UMG: Crystal structure of erenumab Fab bound to the extracellular domain of CGRP receptor (RCSB Protein Data Bank, 2026); ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).
Spotted a mistake?We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it.Report a mistake
Representative model, for educational purposes only.