A diabetes medication may offer relief for people suffering from chronic migraines.
In a new study, researchers found that the drug liraglutide, commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes, helped cut the number of migraine days by more than half.
The findings were shared at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress 2025.
The study was conducted at the Headache Center of the University of Naples “Federico II” and included 26 adults who were living with both obesity and chronic migraines. Chronic migraines are defined as having 15 or more headache days per month.
After taking liraglutide for three months, participants reported 11 fewer migraine days each month on average. Their scores on the Migraine Disability Assessment Test also dropped by 35 points, showing big improvements in their ability to work, study, and enjoy social activities.
Liraglutide is part of a group of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists. These drugs are best known for helping people with diabetes lower blood sugar and reduce body weight by suppressing appetite.
While the participants in this migraine study did lose a little weight, researchers found that the headache improvements were not linked to weight loss. Instead, they believe the drug’s effect on brain pressure is what helped.
“Most patients felt better within the first two weeks,” said Dr. Simone Braca, the study’s lead researcher. “Their quality of life improved significantly, and the benefits lasted for the full three-month period.”
Researchers ruled out other conditions that could confuse the results, such as idiopathic intracranial hypertension, which also causes increased brain pressure.
They focused on the idea that even small increases in brain pressure can trigger migraine attacks. Since GLP-1 drugs like liraglutide can reduce the amount of fluid in the brain, the team believed this might calm the brain activity that leads to migraines.
Dr. Braca explained that lowering brain pressure may reduce the release of CGRP—a chemical in the brain known to trigger migraines. If this theory proves true, it could open up a new pathway for migraine treatment using existing drugs.
About 38% of participants had mild side effects such as nausea or constipation, but no one had to stop taking the drug.
The researchers now plan to run a larger trial that will use tools to directly measure brain pressure. They also want to test other similar drugs that might have fewer side effects. If confirmed, this treatment could help millions of people worldwide who live with migraines, especially those who don’t respond to current medications.
Dr. Simone Braca, the study’s lead author, is a neurology resident at the University of Naples and focuses his research on migraine treatment and brain pressure regulation.
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