If you’ve ever suffered from migraines, you’ll know they’re so much more than ‘just a headache’. For many Australians, migraines are a full-body experience—one that can leave you feeling wiped out, foggy, and desperate for relief.
But what if there was a way to stop a migraine in its tracks before the pain even begins?
Exciting new research suggests that a medication called Ubrogepant, already used to treat migraine pain, might also help ease those early, unsettling symptoms that often warn a migraine is on its way.
This could be a game-changer for the estimated five million Australians who live with migraines, and the more than one billion people affected worldwide.
What are the early signs of a migraine?
Before the pounding headache hits, many people experience what’s known as the ‘prodromal phase’—a sort of warning period that can start hours before the pain.
This phase can include a grab-bag of symptoms: nausea, fatigue, sensitivity to light and sound, neck pain, dizziness, and that dreaded ‘brain fog’ that makes it hard to think straight.
Some people also get an ‘aura’—visual or sensory disturbances that act as a flashing red light that a migraine is coming.
For years, most treatments have focused on managing the pain once it arrives. But what if you could nip the whole thing in the bud?
The study: Can Ubrogepant help before the headache?
A large clinical trial, recently published in Nature Medicine, set out to answer this very question. Researchers recruited 438 adults aged 18 to 75, all with a history of migraines.
Instead of waiting for the headache to start, participants took a 100mg dose of Ubrogepant as soon as they noticed those early warning signs.
The results were promising. Compared to a placebo, Ubrogepant significantly reduced several of the most bothersome early symptoms:
- Light sensitivity: Two hours after taking the pill, nearly 20 per cent of people had no photophobia, compared to just 12.5 per cent with placebo.
- Fatigue: After three hours, 27.3 per cent were free of fatigue (vs 16.8 per cent).
- Neck pain: 28.9 per cent had no neck pain at three hours (vs 15.9 per cent).
- Sound sensitivity: Four hours in, over half (50.7 per cent) reported no phonophobia (vs 35.8 per cent).
- Cognitive symptoms: At one hour, 8.7 per cent had no trouble concentrating (vs 2.1 per cent), and by six hours, 56.9 per cent were thinking clearly (vs 41.8 per cent).
While these numbers might not sound huge, for anyone who’s ever been sidelined by a migraine, even a small improvement can make a world of difference.
Why does this matter?
Migraine is one of the most common—and most misunderstood—neurological conditions. As Dr. Tissa Wijeratne, a leading Australian neurologist, points out: ‘Migraine itself is the most neglected, worst managed and least respected medical disorder worldwide.’
Many people (and, let’s be honest, some doctors) still dismiss migraines as ‘just a bad headache’, but the reality is far more complex.
The World Health Organisation estimates that 10-15 per cent of adults experience migraines. In Australia, that’s about one in five people. And for many, the worst part isn’t even the pain—it’s the days of fatigue, confusion, and sensitivity that can linger before and after the headache.
What’s next for migraine treatment?
While this study is a big step forward, experts caution that more research is needed.
Professor Peter Goadsby, the lead researcher, says there are still plenty of unanswered questions: ‘We need to understand exactly how the medicine works in the earliest phases of a migraine, and whether certain symptoms or groups of people respond better than others.’
Larger studies will help clarify who benefits most, and whether early intervention can actually prevent the headache from developing at all.
What does this mean for you?
If you’re one of the millions of Australians living with migraines, this research offers hope that better days could be ahead.
While Ubrogepant is already approved for treating active migraine attacks, its use in the prodromal phase is still being explored.
If you’re interested in trying this approach, have a chat with your GP or neurologist—they’ll be able to advise you on the latest treatments and whether they’re right for you.
Tips for managing migraines
While we wait for more breakthroughs, here are a few tried-and-true tips for managing migraines:
- Keep a migraine diary: Track your symptoms, triggers, and what helps. This can help you and your doctor spot patterns and tailor your treatment.
- Know your triggers: Common culprits include stress, certain foods, dehydration, and changes in sleep. Avoiding triggers can sometimes reduce the frequency of attacks.
- Act early: If you notice early warning signs, don’t wait—take your medication as directed and rest in a quiet, dark room if possible.
- Stay connected: Migraine can be isolating, but you’re not alone. Support groups (online or in person) can be a great source of comfort and advice.
We want to hear from you!
Have you tried Ubrogepant or another migraine medication? Do you experience those early warning symptoms before a migraine hits?
What’s worked (or not worked) for you? Share your experiences, tips, and questions in the comments below—your story could help another member of our community find relief.
Let’s keep the conversation going and support each other on the journey to better health!
Also read: Can you treat headaches with physiotherapy? Here’s what the research says
