Weight loss injections have shown promise in reducing the frequency of migraines in women, as indicated by recent findings. A national study presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul revealed that women receiving these appetite-suppressing jabs required fewer medications to manage severe migraine attacks.

The study, based on Danish health registry data of 150,000 individuals who initiated Wegovy or Ozempic between 2022 and 2024, demonstrated that women on these injections needed triptan drugs, commonly used for migraine treatment, 8% less frequently. The most significant impact was observed in women aged 18 to 35, with a reduction in triptan use by 18%.

Researchers believe that these injections, which replicate the GLP-1 hormone, may alleviate migraines due to their anti-inflammatory properties. They speculate that the jabs could directly influence the central nervous system, affecting migraine pathways.

Notably, the study did not show a significant decrease in migraine drug usage among men. Approximately ten million Britons suffer from debilitating migraines, with women being more susceptible. Symptoms can range from intense throbbing pain to sensitivity to light, sounds, and smells, lasting for days.

The research was supported by Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of semaglutide marketed as Wegovy for weight loss and Ozempic for Type 2 diabetes. Study participants, predominantly women with an average age of 50, experienced a gradual reduction in triptan use following the initiation of semaglutide.

Noémie Roland, the study author and assistant professor at the University of Southern Denmark, emphasized the need for further randomized clinical trials to confirm the potential anti-migraine effects of semaglutide beyond weight loss. The study compared triptan use before and after starting weight loss injections, revealing a gradual decline in reliance on triptans for migraine management.

Rob Music, CEO of the Migraine Trust, highlighted the prevalence of migraines in women and the importance of exploring new treatment avenues. While initial findings suggest a promising role for GLP-1s in alleviating migraine symptoms in women, additional research is required in this area.