Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41246917›Full record

SynthesisHeadache2026

Real-world effectiveness and safety of galcanezumab for the treatment of migraine: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Jaime Fernández-Bravo-Rodrigo, Carlos Pascual-Morena, Alicia Saz-Lara, Irene Martínez-García, Carla Geovanna Lever-Megina, Silvana Patiño-Cardona, Amparo Flor-García, Iván Cavero-Redondo

Abstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Headache, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Jaime Fernández-Bravo-RodrigoCarVasCare Research Group, Faculty of Nursing, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Cuenca, Spain.ORCID 0000-0003-1026-7561
Carlos Pascual-MorenaHealth and Social Research Center, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Cuenca, Spain.ORCID 0000-0003-1154-8752
Alicia Saz-LaraCarVasCare Research Group, Faculty of Nursing, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Cuenca, Spain.ORCID 0000-0003-0669-8625
Irene Martínez-GarcíaCarVasCare Research Group, Faculty of Nursing, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Cuenca, Spain.ORCID 0000-0001-7835-6953
Carla Geovanna Lever-MeginaCarVasCare Research Group, Faculty of Nursing, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Cuenca, Spain.ORCID 0009-0009-8801-2148
Silvana Patiño-CardonaHealth and Social Research Center, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Cuenca, Spain.ORCID 0009-0001-3470-1724
Amparo Flor-GarcíaPharmacy Service, Hospital Virgen de la Luz, Cuenca, Spain.
Iván Cavero-RedondoCarVasCare Research Group, Faculty of Nursing, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Cuenca, Spain.ORCID 0000-0003-2617-0430

Funding

Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha 2025-PRED-22671Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades FPU21/06866Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveThis study aimed to summarize and pool real-world evidence on the clinical effectiveness and safety of galcanezumab.

backgroundMigraine is a disabling primary headache disorder. Several drugs that target calcitonin gene-related peptide, such as galcanezumab, have recently been developed. However, real-world effects have not been well studied.

methodsA systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted from inception to February 2025. Studies that estimated the real-world effects of galcanezumab on monthly migraine days (MMDs), monthly headache days (MHDs), Headache Impact Test, Migraine Disability Assessment Scale, number of days in medication, acute monthly intake (AMI), pain intensity, and safety outcomes were included. Meta-analyses of proportions or mean differences were performed.

resultsThirty-six studies were included, with an agreement of 0.93 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.90, 0.96]. One month after the first injection, the reduction effects were -6.93 days (95% CI: -7.88, -5.99) for MMD, -8.55 days (95% CI: -11.32, -5.78) for MHD, and -7.96 points (95% CI: -8.93, -6.99) for Headache Impact Test. Over 60% of patients achieved a reduction in MMD/MHD of at least 50% within 3 months. The effect increased gradually and slightly up to 12 months. The adverse event rates were 0.25 (95% CI: 0.14, 0.38) and 0.35 (95% CI: 0.27, 0.45) at 6 and 12 months, respectively, with constipation being the most common.

conclusionGalcanezumab appears to be associated with clinically meaningful improvements in migraine and favorable safety outcomes, although the evidence certainty is limited by heterogeneity.

Indexed as

Antibodies, Monoclonal, HumanizedMigraine DisordersOutcome Assessment, Health CareHumansAntibodies, Monoclonal, Humanizedgalcanezumabheadachemigrainemonoclonal antibodiesneurologypharmacologyquality of life

Identifiers

PMID41246917
PMCPMC12849532

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.