OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety 
of monoclonal antibodies against calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) for 
episodic migraine prevention.
METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched 
from inception to April 2018. Studies considered to be eligible were randomized 
controlled trials about efficacy and safety of calcitonin gene-related peptide 
monoclonal antibody for episodic migraine prevention.
RESULTS: Eight randomized controlled trials involving 2292 patients were 
included. The outcomes of this meta-analysis presented that CGRP monoclonal 
antibodies for preventive treatment of episodic migraine significantly reduced 
the monthly migraine days from baseline [weighted mean difference 
(WMD) = - 1.52; 95%CI, - 1.92 to - 1.11; Z = 7.40; P < 0.001] and monthly acute 
migraine-specific medication consumption from baseline [WMD = - 1.45; 95%CI, 
- 2.17 to - 0.72; Z = 3.93; P < 0.001], as compared with placebo group. CGRP 
monoclonal antibodies for preventive treatment of episodic migraine 
significantly increased the ≥ 50% reduction from baseline in migraine days per 
month [RR = 1.54; 95%CI, 1.38 to1.71; Z = 7.88; P < 0.001]. The adverse events 
were similar between the CGRP monoclonal antibody group and placebo group 
(P = 0.998). The outcomes of subgroup analysis showed that erenumab, 
galcanezumab, and fremanezumab significantly reduced the monthly migraine days 
from baseline and increased the ≥ 50% reduction from baseline in migraine days 
per month. Both erenumab and fremanezumab significantly reduced from baseline.
CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this meta-analysis, CGRP monoclonal 
antibodies significantly reduced the monthly migraine days and acute 
migraine-specific medication. CGRP monoclonal antibodies were effective and safe 
for preventive treatment of episodic migraine.