Migraines can be disruptive and affect both daily life and your mood in negative ways. There are various medications available to treat and alleviate migraine symptoms.
Mild attacks may benefit from taking anti-inflammatories such as aspirin or ibuprofen to ease pain, while triptans or prescription pain-blockers, like sumatriptan (Imitrex) or rizatriptan (Maxalt), that act as reversible inhibitors of COX-1 and 2 can help decrease discomfort. Preventive medications include triptans like sumatriptan (Imitrex) or rizatriptan (Maxalt); these may be taken either orally or as nasal sprays/injections for maximum efficiency.
1. Over-the-Counter (OTC) Pain Medications
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications are medications available without a valid valid doctor’s prescription and used to alleviate or stop pain and reduce fevers. There are various kinds of OTC pain medicines, so choose one that best meets your needs; just be sure to read labels and adhere to recommended dosage instructions carefully as taking too much medicine can be harmful and even fatal.
OTC medicines that can relieve both pain and fever include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs (ibuprofen and aspirin). NSAIDs relieve both by forcing your body to produce less hormone-like chemicals that control blood flow and play a part in inflammation, thus decreasing both.
2. Narcotic Pain Medications
Migraine pain typically is not severe enough to warrant prescription of narcotic medications; therefore, your GP might suggest analgesics like acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These can help relieve your discomfort by decreasing pain, swelling and other symptoms associated with migraine.
GPs can also prescribe triptans, which work by blocking nerve signals that cause migraine headaches. Available as tablets, injections or nasal sprays they can be highly effective while potentially producing side effects such as tingling and numbness if used excessively.
Beta-blockers such as propranolol, metoprolol or timolol may help people with a history of heart issues to relax more efficiently and reduce symptoms more quickly. Antidepressants such as amitriptyline, venlafaxine or atenolol may be effective; however, their use should be used with caution due to potential sedation risks. Calcium channel blockers like verapamil, nebivolol or nifedipine may provide relief, while newer agents that target calcitonin gene-related peptide pain transmission may provide relief; more research needs to be conducted into their effectiveness before their approval by FDA.
3. Medications for Nausea and Vomiting
If over-the-counter painkillers aren’t helping, your GP may prescribe stronger medicine such as migraine triptans and anti sickness medicines. Triptans are drugs which work by blocking certain changes in the brain that cause migraines; these can be taken in tablets, injections, or nasal spray form and some people combine them with anti sickness medicines to lessen nausea and vomiting symptoms caused by migraine.
For fast-onset migraines, GPs may prescribe injectable triptans such as ondansetron (Zofran) or prochlorperazine (Compazine) as abortive treatment in order to stop your headache as soon as it begins. This process is called abortive treatment as it stops your migraine before it even begins!
Other painkillers that your GP might suggest include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB), and acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). Be mindful when taking these overly frequently as taking too often could lead to medication overuse headache, which occurs when taken for too long. Your doctor might also suggest beta-blockers such as propranolol and metoprolol; calcium channel blockers like verapamil; or dihydroergotamine (Migranal); all these medicines could help reduce symptoms associated with migraine.
4. Medications for Headache
Triptans are painkilling medications designed to block pain pathways. Taken early enough in an attack, triptans can stop an existing headache as well as reduce symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Popular triptans include Relpax(r), Frovatriptan (Frova), Naratriptan (Amerge), Sumatriptan (Imitrex(r), AlsumaTM Onzetra XsailTM Tosymra ZembraceTM Zembrace) and Zomitriptan (Zomig). Some versions are available as nasal sprays or injections so it may be easier than pills when taken at first.
Dihydroergotamine can also help treat migraines. This stronger medication requires a valid valid valid valid valid prescription to obtain. It works on serotonin receptors in the brain to block pain signals before they reach your body; available as tablets, injections or suppositories and may cause side effects including low blood circulation, flushing and tingling in skin; however it should not be used by individuals with heart conditions, or taking medicines that affect how the liver processes medications such as CYP3A4 inhibitors.
