Headache medicine · 2026
Migraine treatment,
CGRP, Botox, neuromodulation.
NMPA-approved CGRP antagonists (erenumab, galcanezumab, fremanezumab) at 40–60% off US pricing. Botox for chronic migraine, occipital and sphenopalatine nerve blocks, neuromodulation, and acupuncture.
NMPA
CGRP approved
Erenumab, galcanezumab, fremanezumab + small-molecule gepants
NMPA approvals
$280–680 / mo
CGRP mAb pricing
vs $700–$900 / month in the US
NMPA listings
Class A
Headache centres
Tiantan, Huashan, Xuanwu neurology
NHC ratings
Botox
Chronic migraine
31-injection PREEMPT protocol; NMPA-approved
Centre programs
Acupuncture
Cochrane-supported
Modest evidence for migraine prevention
Cochrane 2016
Bilingual
Headache plan
Diary, plan, and home-team handover
Service standard
Tiers & pricing
Six tiers, transparent pricing.
Headache assessment
Headache history, ICHD-3 classification, MIDAS / HIT-6, MRI / MRA if indicated.
$650–1,400
CGRP mAb (monthly / quarterly)
Erenumab (Aimovig), galcanezumab (Emgality), fremanezumab (Ajovy), eptinezumab IV.
$280–680 / month
Gepants (oral CGRP antagonists)
Rimegepant, ubrogepant, zavegepant nasal — for acute or preventive use depending on agent.
$8–35 / dose
Botox for chronic migraine
31-site injection q12 weeks. NMPA-approved for chronic migraine ≥ 15 days/month.
$650–1,400 / round
Nerve blocks
Greater occipital, lesser occipital, supraorbital, sphenopalatine ganglion blocks.
$280–680 / level
Acupuncture / TCM
Migraine prevention with modest published evidence; offered alongside Western prevention.
$45–95 / session
Top hospitals
Six centres
open to international patients.
Tiantan Hospital Neurology + Headache 天坛医院
China's largest neuroscience centre · large headache program · trial site
Huashan Hospital Neurology 华山医院
Class A · neurology reference · headache and migraine specialty
Xuanwu Hospital Neurology 宣武医院
Class A · large neurology · stroke and headache
PUMC Neurology 北京协和医院
Academic neurology · diagnostic excellence · rare headache syndromes
United Family Hospitals 和睦家
JCI · expat-focused neurology · routine migraine follow-up
TCM specialty hospitals 中医医院
Acupuncture for migraine · drug-interaction screened · adjunctive
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
- Why China for migraine treatment?
- Three reasons: (1) NMPA has approved all four CGRP monoclonal antibodies (erenumab, galcanezumab, fremanezumab, eptinezumab) plus gepants (rimegepant, ubrogepant, zavegepant nasal) at NMPA-listed prices substantially below US; (2) Botox PREEMPT protocol for chronic migraine is widely available; (3) integrative acupuncture has Cochrane-reviewed modest evidence for migraine prevention and is offered alongside Western prevention without dilution.
- What does a comprehensive headache workup include?
- Standard 1–2 day pathway: detailed headache history; ICHD-3 classification (migraine with / without aura, chronic migraine, tension-type, cluster, medication-overuse, secondary headache); red-flag screen; brain MRI ± MRA if SNOOP red flags; ophthalmology consult if IIH or aura concern; MIDAS, HIT-6, headache diary review; comprehensive medication review including over-the-counter analgesic and caffeine intake. Bilingual final plan including acute, preventive and lifestyle approaches.
- What about CGRP-targeted therapy?
- Four monoclonal antibodies available at NMPA-listed pricing: erenumab (Aimovig, anti-CGRP receptor) ~$280–$420/month; galcanezumab (Emgality, anti-CGRP) ~$320–$480/month; fremanezumab (Ajovy, anti-CGRP) ~$360–$520/month for monthly or $720–$1,200 quarterly; eptinezumab (Vyepti, IV) ~$1,800–$2,800 quarterly. Oral gepants for acute (rimegepant, ubrogepant) and preventive (rimegepant, atogepant) at substantially lower per-dose costs than US triptan rebates. Long-term continuity requires home-physician handover.
- What about Botox for chronic migraine?
- PREEMPT protocol: 31-injection technique across forehead, temple, occiput, neck, shoulder muscles, q12 weeks, indicated for chronic migraine (≥ 15 headache days/month with ≥ 8 migraine days). NMPA-approved 2020. Indicative cost $650–$1,400 per round (drug + administration) vs $1,200–$2,200 in the US. Effect typically seen by round 2 (week 24). Combined Botox + CGRP mAb is increasingly common for refractory chronic migraine.
- What about device-based and neuromodulation options?
- External trigeminal nerve stimulation (Cefaly) — FDA / NMPA cleared for acute and preventive migraine, available for at-home use. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (sTMS, sTMSmini): NICE-approved for migraine; limited Chinese availability. Vagus nerve stimulation (gammaCore): for cluster and migraine; limited Chinese availability. Surgical neuromodulation (occipital nerve stimulation): for highly refractory cases at specialist centres.
- What about chronic medication overuse and detox?
- Medication-overuse headache (MOH) is a major contributor to chronic daily headache and is treated by structured withdrawal of overused acute medication, bridge therapy with steroid taper or DHE infusion, and initiation of preventive therapy. Class A neurology centres run inpatient withdrawal programs for severe MOH ($2,500–$5,500 per 5–7 day admission).
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for a written plan.
Share your headache history, current medication and ICHD pattern. We return a written plan from a partner headache specialist — including CGRP, Botox, gepant or acupuncture options matched to your phenotype.
This page is for general information only and does not constitute medical advice. Sudden severe ('thunderclap') headache, headache with neurological deficit, or headache with fever and neck stiffness are medical emergencies — present to your nearest ED.