Migraine Drug Found to Reduce Depression Symptoms in Patients with Both Conditions

A migraine medication has shown promising results in significantly reducing symptoms of both migraines and depression in patients suffering from both conditions, marking a first-of-its-kind breakthrough, according to a new study published in JAMA Neurology.

The study focused on the drug fremanezumab, which is already approved and available in India. Administered as a subcutaneous injection (under the skin), the drug was found to reduce both the frequency of migraine attacks and the severity of depressive symptoms in patients, offering dual relief through a single treatment.

In a clinical trial involving 540 participants, patients receiving fremanezumab experienced fewer migraine days per month and reported noticeable improvements in depressive symptoms compared to those given a placebo.

Researchers from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the U.S. and their collaborators said this was the first time a single drug had been shown to produce such results in patients with both chronic migraines and co-occurring depression — a combination that is often seen in clinical practice but rarely addressed together in treatment strategies.

“These findings are important because they suggest fremanezumab may serve as a dual-action treatment, improving quality of life for patients managing both physical and mental health challenges,” said one of the study’s lead researchers.

Chronic migraine sufferers are statistically more likely to experience depression, and the two conditions often exacerbate each other. Experts believe that an effective treatment targeting both could significantly improve overall patient outcomes.

The researchers call for further studies to understand the long-term impact and potential broader applications of the drug in treating mood-related disorders in patients with chronic pain conditions.