Can Wegovy Cause Migraine Headaches?
The provided evidence does not address whether Wegovy (semaglutide) causes migraine headaches, as none of the studies or guidelines discuss GLP-1 receptor agonists or semaglutide in relation to migraine. Based on FDA labeling and post-marketing surveillance data not included in these references, headache is a known adverse effect of semaglutide, occurring in approximately 6-14% of patients, though specific migraine classification is not consistently documented.
What the Evidence Actually Addresses
The provided studies focus exclusively on:
- Migraine treatment strategies including acute abortive therapy with triptans, NSAIDs, and antiemetics 1, 2, 3
- Migraine prevention with medications like candesartan, topiramate, and CGRP antagonists 1
- Medication-overuse headache as a complication of frequent acute migraine medication use 1, 4
- Specific migraine triggers such as artificial sweeteners (sucralose) and pharmacological agents like acetazolamide combined with glyceryl trinitrate 5, 6
Clinical Context for Wegovy and Headache
While the evidence provided does not directly answer your question, clinically relevant considerations include:
- GLP-1 receptor agonists as a class have headache listed as a common adverse effect in their prescribing information
- Headache timing with semaglutide typically occurs during dose escalation and often improves with continued use
- Distinguishing migraine from tension-type headache requires specific diagnostic criteria that include unilateral location, pulsating quality, moderate-to-severe intensity, and aggravation by routine physical activity 1
If Migraine Develops on Wegovy
Should a patient on Wegovy develop migraine headaches, the 2024 VA/DoD guidelines provide clear treatment algorithms:
- For acute treatment of mild-to-moderate migraine: Use NSAIDs (ibuprofen 400-800mg, naproxen 275-550mg, or aspirin 650-1000mg) or the combination of aspirin-acetaminophen-caffeine 1, 2
- For moderate-to-severe migraine: Triptans (sumatriptan, rizatriptan, eletriptan, or zolmitriptan) are strongly recommended, with the combination of sumatriptan plus naproxen showing enhanced efficacy 1, 2
- For prevention if headaches occur >2 times per week: Consider candesartan, telmisartan, or CGRP antagonists (erenumab, fremanezumab, galcanezumab) 1
Critical Limitation
None of the provided evidence sources discuss Wegovy, semaglutide, or GLP-1 receptor agonists in any context related to migraine causation or management. To definitively answer whether Wegovy causes migraine headaches requires consultation of the FDA prescribing information for semaglutide and pharmacovigilance databases, which are not included in the evidence provided.