New generation migraine medications are associated with a 40% increased risk of miscarriage
A new study shows that taking a type of new generation medication to prevent migraine attacks may be associated with a 40% increased risk of miscarriage in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. However, the researchers stress that this finding does not prove the direct role of these drugs in abortion, and more research is needed to determine their safety during pregnancy.
A new study shows that taking a type of new generation medication to prevent migraine attacks may be associated with a 40% increased risk of miscarriage in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. However, the researchers stress that this finding does not prove the direct role of these drugs in abortion, and more research is needed to determine their safety during pregnancy.
According to the selection report and quoted by ScienceAlert; Migraine is one of the common neurological diseases that women suffer from more than men. The treatment of this disease is not always easy, and conventional painkillers are not effective enough for some patients.
In 2018, a new class of injectable medications was approved to treat migraines, especially for people who don't respond to conventional treatments. These drugs are known as CGRP-targeting monoclonal antibodies, and they help prevent migraine attacks by blocking the action of a protein that is involved in triggering migraine attacks.
Despite the effectiveness of these drugs and their fewer side effects compared to some other treatments, concerns have been raised about their safety during pregnancy.
Increased risk of miscarriage in users of new migraine medications
The researchers, led by Anik Brar, an epidemiologist at Saint-Justine University Hospital Center in Canada, reviewed data on 7,579 pregnancies. These data were obtained from US health insurance records between 2018 and 2021.
The results showed that people who were exposed to CGRP inhibitor drugs during pregnancy, compared to people who did not take these drugs, faced a 40% increased risk of spontaneous abortion in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy.
In contrast, the use of propranolol, another medication studied for migraine prevention, did not show a significant association with an increased risk of miscarriage.
In addition to its important role in migraine attacks, CGRP protein is also effective in regulating blood flow, embryo implantation and placenta development. For this reason, scientists believe that blocking the function of this protein can affect the pregnancy process; However, this hypothesis still needs further investigation.
Do these drugs cause abortion?
The researchers emphasize that this study is observational and only shows the relationship between drug use and increased risk of miscarriage; Therefore, it cannot be concluded that drugs directly cause abortion.
On the other hand, these drugs are usually prescribed for people who have severe or refractory migraines. As a result, it is possible that the severity of the disease or other factors also play a role in increasing the risk of miscarriage.
Also, information on migraine severity, actual use of prescribed medications, and planned pregnancy were not fully available in this review.
Researchers emphasize the necessity of conducting more studies to investigate the effect of these drugs on abortion, fetal health and its long-term consequences for children.
Important advice: People who use these drugs to prevent migraine and are planning to become pregnant or have become pregnant, it is better to consult with their doctor about possible risks and alternative treatment options and not to change their medication without their doctor's opinion.
The results of this research have been published in the scientific journal JAMA Neurology.