Microneedles for the treatment of migraine and orofacial pain: A narrative review

MN-based drug delivery represents a promising, minimally invasive strategy for migraine and other OFP management, with the strongest and most clinically relevant evidence currently available for acute migraine treatment. By enabling rapid and reliable drug absorption while bypassing gastrointestinal limitations, MNs may enhance the effectiveness of migraine-specific therapies. Emerging preclinical evidence further suggests potential applicability of MN platforms in other OFP conditions, including TMD and oral mucosal ulcers, through localized and sustained analgesic and anti-inflammatory delivery. Future research should prioritize migraine-focused optimization of MN materials and designs, alongside disease-specific expansion and standardized pain-related outcome reporting, to facilitate broader clinical translation.