Rimegepant in airplane headache treatment: a case report

Airplane headache is a rare condition first identified in 2004 and subsequently included in the International Classification of Headache Disorders (Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society in Cephalalgia 33:629-808, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1177/0333102413485658 ). Airplane headache typically presents as intense, stabbing, unilateral pain in the frontal or orbital regions, with a severity of 8-10 on the numeric rating scale. Despite its relatively low prevalence and generally nondisabling nature, the intense pain associated with airplane headache often leads to significant anxiety and fear of flying, underscoring the need for effective treatment strategies. Currently, there are no established guidelines for the treatment of airplane headache. Various anecdotal treatments have been reported, including nasal decongestants, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, and triptans.

We describe the case of a 28-years old Caucasian female patient with recurrent airplane headache successfully treated with rimegepant, a calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist, taken half an hour before plane departure. A 10-month follow-up confirmed the treatment efficacy.

This novel use of rimegepant, typically employed in migraine management, demonstrates a promising therapeutic option for airplane headache.