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Overview
About Medications Used to Treat Migraine HeadachesMigraine headaches can leave you incapacitated for three days or more. Light, sound and even movement can cause nausea and misery. Medications for migraines fall into two categories: pain relieving medication and preventive medication. Pain relieving medication stops the symptoms of an oncoming migraine. Preventive medications reduce the severity and amount of migraines. Which type of medications you take depends on how often and how severe your migraines are.
NSAIDS
Pain relieving drugs include NSAIDS---non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Over-the-counter medications include ibuprofen or aspirin for mild migraines and combination drugs such as Excedrin Migraine for moderate migraines. Excedrin Migraine is a combination of acetaminophen, aspirin and caffeine. For severe migraines, doctors may prescribe stronger medications. Toradol is an injectible NSAID. Cataflam is a combination NSAID that reduces nausea better than Imitrex, a triptan medication. If taken for long periods, NSAIDS can cause ulcers, intestinal bleeding and rebound headaches.
Triptans and Ergots
Triptans relieve pain, nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Imitrex was the first triptan prescribed specifically for migraines. Others include Maxalt, Amerge, Zomig, Axert, Frova and Relpax. Side effects include nausea and dizziness. Pregnant women or children should not use triptans. Before triptans, ergots were popular for migraines, but they are less effective and cause more side effects.
Considerations
Other pain relieving considerations are anti-nausea medications the patient can take with other medications. Butalbital combinations include the sedative butalbital along with aspirin or acetaminophen. Opiates contain narcotics, which doctors prescribe if you cannot take triptans or ergots. Opiates can be addictive, so doctors use them as a last resort.
Cardiovascular Medications
Preventive medications include cardiovascular medications. Beta-blockers, which doctors also use to treat high blood pressure, reduce the frequency of migraines. Other cardiovascular medications include channel blockers such as Calan, and antihypertensive medications such as Prinivil. Side effects include dizziness or lightheadedness.
Antidepressants and Anti-Seizure Medications
Tricyclic antidepressants prevent headaches and migraines by affecting the level of serotonin in the brain. Pamelor and Vivactil are two commonly used medications. Anti-seizure medications such as Topamax, used for epilepsy, seem to prevent the migraines from occurring.
Theories/Speculation
The antihistamine Cyproheptadine, which affects serotonin activity, seems to work in children with migraines. Botox is a recent consideration, though more research is needed.
