• The American College of Physicians has released new guidelines for treating episodic migraine, recommending a three-tiered approach based on systematic review of nine medication classes.
• First-line treatments include beta-blockers (metoprolol/propranolol), valproate, venlafaxine, or amitriptyline, while CGRP antagonists and antibodies are recommended as second-line options.
• The guidelines emphasize cost considerations and patient preferences, noting significant price variations between treatments, from $67 for amitriptyline to over $22,000 for some CGRP antagonists.