[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › CGRP antagonists (gepants and anti-CGRP antibodies)

# 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.

Updated Nov 1, 2026

## 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

## Key points

- Erenumab is the only antibody that targets the CGRP receptor; the others bind the CGRP ligand.
- The antibodies prevent migraine; they do not stop an attack in progress.
- Erenumab can cause constipation (sometimes severe) and raise blood pressure.
- Erenumab is injected under the skin once a month and can be given at home after training.

## Drugs in this class

- [**Erenumab** A monthly injected monoclonal antibody that blocks the CGRP receptor and prevents migraine; it does not treat an… CGRP receptor (calcitonin receptor-like receptor, CALCRL)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/erenumab/)
- [**Rimegepant** An 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)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/rimegepant/)
- [**Atogepant** An 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)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/atogepant/)
- [**Ubrogepant** An 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)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ubrogepant/)
- [**Fremanezumab** A 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)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/fremanezumab/)
- [**Galcanezumab** A 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)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/galcanezumab/)

## 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).

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/classes/cgrp-antagonists/)

[More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology)

[← All of pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/)

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](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a618029.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [RCSB PDB - 6UMG: Crystal structure of erenumab Fab bound to the extracellular domain of CGRP receptor](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/6UMG) (RCSB Protein Data Bank, 2026); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=N02CD) (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.

---
Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/cgrp-antagonists/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/cgrp-antagonists/