Migraine symptoms can drastically disrupt daily life. But there are various medications available that can provide relief from pain, nausea and other associated symptoms of migraines.
New research suggests that migraine medications work most effectively when used at the first sign of an attack, such as ondansetron (Zofran) nasal spray version and antiemetics such as metoclopramide and prochlorperazine.
Triptans
Migraine sufferers can experience an array of symptoms, from pain to vision loss or distortion, nausea and light or sound sensitivity. While migraine drugs don’t prevent headaches altogether, they do help ease them while they occur.
Triptans are drugs that bind to receptors on your cranial nerves to block pain pathways in your brain and relieve your discomfort, either in pill form, nasal spray or injections. These medicines may be taken as pills, nasal spray or injection.
Triptans tend to have less severe side effects and don’t lead to dependence like some older migraine medications did, making them the ideal treatment option.
Dihydroergotamine
Dihydroergotamine is used to treat migraine headaches (severe, throbbing head pain with associated nausea). It belongs to a class of medications called ergot alkaloids and works by tightening blood vessels in the brain and inhibiting certain chemicals that contribute to swelling.
Sumatriptan should only be taken when symptoms appear; avoid taking more than 24 hours after first taking sumatriptan. Also inform your physician if pregnant/breastfeeding/kidney or liver issues exist and/or smoking impedes use. To take maximum effect from this medication it must not be used simultaneously with tobacco products such as smoking.
Opioids
Migraine patients who rely on opioids to treat their attacks run the risk of medication overuse headache, also known as MOH. MOH can lead to worsening headache, increased disability and costly health care utilization costs; furthermore it increases dependence on opioids as well as increasing chances for chronic migraine.
Triptans are among the most effective medications for migraines, helping reduce discomfort by narrowing blood vessels and blocking pain pathways. Available as tablets, nasal spray or injection forms – triptans may also alleviate other symptoms associated with migraines, including nausea and light and sound sensitivity.
Barbiturates
Barbiturates may no longer be as commonly prescribed because newer medications have mostly taken their place, yet barbiturates still see some use for certain conditions. Phenobarbital is used to treat seizures that do not respond to first-line antiseizure drugs; and butalbital can be found in combination headache medications (like Fioricet) alongside acetaminophen and caffeine to relieve headache pain. But be wary – high doses of barbiturates could become habit-forming; be wary.
At all times, it is wise to keep migraine medications out of the reach of children and teenagers. If there are any questions or concerns regarding any migraine medicine you take, call the Poison Control Center immediately for assistance.
Antiseizure medicines
Antiseizure medications used to treat epilepsy have been shown to be highly effective at preventing migraine attacks, although some of them can have potentially severe adverse reactions; it’s best to consult your physician about taking one before proceeding with therapy.
Beta blockers such as nebivolol, bisoprolol and pindolol may help alleviate migraine symptoms by decreasing swelling in blood vessels in your brain and relieving symptoms quickly – but they may increase your risk for heart attacks or stroke.
Clonazepam is an effective sedative that has been shown to significantly alleviate headache pain in some patients, but can cause drowsiness and dizziness.
Botox injections
If other preventive medicines haven’t helped, your doctor may suggest botulinum toxin injections as a means to combat migraines. Botulinum toxin works by relaxing muscles that cause pain and headaches; additionally it can treat cervical dystonia neck spasms.
Your doctor will administer botulinum toxin injections into various areas around your head and neck, such as your forehead, temples, and back of head. He or she will look for trigger points causing pain to pinpoint their source.
Most health insurance plans cover the costs associated with this treatment. A headache specialist or consultant neurologist provides this service; to qualify, one must first be diagnosed with chronic migraine.
Calcitonin gene-related peptide
Migraine medications targeting neuropeptide CGRP have proven extremely successful at managing migraine, particularly as preventive treatments. As the first medications ever designed specifically to stop migraine attacks from reoccurring, these have revolutionized migraine management.
Your doctor may suggest taking medicine that blocks CGRP’s effects, such as monoclonal antibodies or small-molecule receptor antagonists that you self-inject at home – typically once every month or three months.
These medications, commonly referred to as CGRP-targeting therapies, have been demonstrated to significantly decrease migraine days for individuals suffering from high frequency episodic or chronic migraine. According to the American Headache Society’s recommendations, these newer preventive medicines should only be attempted once two other classes of migraine preventives have failed.
