This record provides bibliographic details and links to the original research. An editorial study breakdown is not available.
What the researchers found
Constipation from anti-CGRP migraine therapeutics results from blocking CGRP's physiological role in maintaining intestinal peristalsis, ion/water secretion, and transit through both extrinsic and enteric nerve pathways.
Why it matters
Over 50% of patients on anti-CGRP drugs experience constipation. Understanding why helps clinicians manage this side effect and set proper expectations for patients starting these medications.
The numbers in context
>50% constipation rate; CGRP drives peristalsis; CGRP drives secretion; CGRP accelerates transit; causes diarrhea exogenously
How the study worked
Narrative review of CGRP's pharmacological actions in the digestive tract, including enteric nervous system function, peristalsis, secretion, and transit studies in animals and humans.
Who was studied
Migraine patients treated with anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies
What this study cannot tell us
Narrative review with no original data. The >50% constipation rate is from real-world surveys, not randomized trials. Individual variation in constipation severity is not well characterized. Management strategies for the constipation are not reviewed.
Read the original research
Constipation Caused by Anti-calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Migraine Therapeutics Explained by Antagonism of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide's Motor-Stimulating and Prosecretory Function in the Intestine.
Frontiers in physiology, 12, 820006
Citation
Holzer, Peter; Holzer-Petsche, Ulrike. (2021). Constipation Caused by Anti-calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Migraine Therapeutics Explained by Antagonism of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide's Motor-Stimulating and Prosecretory Function in the Intestine.. Frontiers in physiology, 12, 820006. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2021.820006