Lancet Neurol

Candesartan cuts monthly migraine days in phase 2 trial

September 26, 2025

Candesartan 16 mg daily is effective and well tolerated for episodic migraine prevention, supporting its use as a clinically meaningful, evidence-based option.

Study details: The randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 CandMig-3 trial (NCT04574713) enrolled 457 adults (mean age, 38.7 years; 86% female) with episodic migraine (2–8 attacks/month) across 10 European hospitals. Participants were assigned to candesartan 16 mg, candesartan 8 mg, or placebo daily for 12 weeks. Primary endpoint was change in mean migraine days per 4 weeks from baseline to weeks 9 to 12.

Results: Candesartan 16 mg daily reduced migraine days by 2.04 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65–2.41) vs. 0.82 days (0.38–1.23) with placebo, yielding a between-group difference of –1.22 days (95% CI, –1.75 to –0.70; p<0.0001). Dizziness was the most common adverse event (30% with candesartan 16 mg vs. 13% with placebo). Serious adverse events and discontinuations were infrequent and similar between groups.

Source:

Øie LR, et al. (2025, October). Lancet Neurol. Candesartan versus placebo for migraine prevention in patients with episodic migraine: a randomised, triple-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40975098/