Many medicines can help ease migraine discomfort, though no single approach will work best for everyone. Walgreens pharmacists can assist you in finding products and medicines to suit your specific needs.
Simple painkillers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol may provide immediate relief of headache symptoms, especially if taken at the first sign of an attack. Anti-nausea medicines like metoclopramide, prochlorperazine and domperidone may provide some additional support in case nausea is an issue.
Over-the-Counter Products
Migraine pain relief can often be achieved using over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen and naproxen, although each individual will find something different effective for them. While painkillers are considered effective first-line treatments for migraines, their efficacy varies from person to person. Also important to keep in mind is that using too many painkillers could actually contribute to headaches due to medication overuse headache. If taking painkillers more than two or three days a week increases headache risk significantly; you should consult with your physician about other forms of treatment solutions for managing them.
Most migraine sufferers use over-the-counter medicines at some point; research demonstrates that on average, headache patients typically try at least two OTC products before consulting their healthcare provider for medication specifically designed to address headaches. Excedrin is one of the most widely prescribed combination OTC migraine remedies; its ingredients include aspirin and acetaminophen combined with caffeine. Aspirin reduces inflammation while acetaminophen can relieve pain; caffeine narrows blood vessels to alleviate discomfort in your head.
Over-the-Counter Medicines
Many people turn to OTC painkillers as the first line of defense against migraine. OTC medicines like aspirin, acetaminophen and the NSAIDs ibuprofen or naproxen may help alleviate headache symptoms; however, what works for each individual may vary; using too many of these products too frequently may actually contribute to additional headaches known as medication overuse headache.
Triptans, prescription medicines that block pain pathways in the brain and relieve migraine attacks, can be taken in pill form, nasal spray form or injection form. Recently, FDA has approved several newer drugs which target an important protein involved with migraine episodes known as gepants such as Ubrelvy(r), Rimegepant (Nurtec ODT(r)) and Galcanezumab-gnlm(r) Emgality(r) to name but three examples.
Anti-nausea medications provide relief for nausea and vomiting associated with migraine. They typically come as pills or rectal suppositories and should only be taken alongside antidepressant SSRI or SNRI antidepressants; some also interact with certain sedatives.
Prescription Medicines
Migraine prevention drugs may help lower the number of days you experience migraine. They should generally be taken on a regular basis; however, their dosage may be adjusted according to how effective they are for you. Common treatments include beta blockers without intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (atenolol, bisoprolol or metoprolol) topiramate and candesartan. In recent years, monoclonal antibodies targeting CGRP activity such as erenumab, fremanezumab and galcanezumab have also been approved; these work by inhibiting its action which causes blood vessels constriction during migraine.
Antinausea medicines (antinemetics) can also be essential, working best if taken as soon as symptoms arise. You may take them alone or combined with pain-relief medicines and triptans; tablets typically dissolve in your mouth while others come as suppositories that must be inserted directly into the rectum – the two most widely prescribed antiemetics are metoclopramide and prochlorperazine.
Opioid painkillers should only be used as a last resort and only short-term, to avoid medication-overuse headaches.
Non-Drug Treatments
Numerous non-drug treatments may provide relief for migraine pain. While some can help soothe nausea and vomiting during an attack, others block pain signals in your brain. You can find these remedies either from your doctor or natural products store – always consult your provider first if any treatment requires adjustment due to other health conditions or medications taken.
Acupuncture may help ease headaches in some people. A practitioner inserts very thin needles at specific points on your body in this treatment to restore balance to the flow of energy (also known as “chi”) within your system.
Exercise can also help to alleviate migraine symptoms, according to research studies. Exercise helps both reduce frequency and intensity of migraine attacks while simultaneously relieving neck and shoulder tightness which is often an underlying trigger of migraine attacks.
