Migraine sufferers may initially use over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen to manage symptoms; if these fail, a doctor might recommend migraine-specific medicines instead.
Triptans, available as pills, nasal sprays or injections, relieve migraine pain by blocking pain pathways in the brain. While they are generally safe, triptans may not be appropriate for people at high risk for heart attack or stroke.
Over-the-Counter Medications
OTC medications can be an invaluable part of treating migraines. Not only are they more cost-effective than prescription drugs, but many find acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen soothing for their migraine pain; however it’s advisable that any new over-the-counter medication be checked with your healthcare provider to make sure that it won’t interfere with any existing health conditions you might have.
Limit your use of over-the-counter medicines, particularly those containing caffeine. Excessive doses could result in side effects or what doctors call medication overuse headaches, so try to limit how frequently they’re taken.
Over-the-counter medicines should only be taken at the first sign of migraine to minimize symptoms and stop them from worsening. If they don’t help within two hours, or don’t relieve your symptoms altogether, talk with your doctor. Alternative treatments for headaches include acupuncture – clinical trials have demonstrated its ability to reduce migraine pain significantly; biofeedback helps manage responses to stress; meditation and yoga help ease tension – among others.
Prescription Medications
There is no one-size-fits-all prescription medication to treat migraines, but several drugs may help. They include:
Antidepressants: Tricyclic antidepressants like Amitriptline (Tenormin) may help reduce migraine frequency and intensity, yet may cause side effects such as sleepiness and mood changes.
Blood Pressure Meds: Some drugs used to treat high blood pressure, such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac) and verapamil (Calan, Covera HS, Verelan), may also help prevent migraines by narrowing blood vessels and slowing heart rates. These medications help ease narrowing in order to decrease migraine attacks.
Anti-seizure Drugs: Topiramate (Qudexy XR, Topamax) and Valproic acid (Depakene, Depakote) may help alleviate headaches by preventing migraine attacks from beginning or worsening, as well as providing pain relief during an attack. Both may lead to side effects including dizziness and weight fluctuations; it’s best to inform yourself beforehand about potential risks.
Botox Injections
Botox may be best known for cosmetic purposes such as smoothing wrinkles, but it is also effective in the treatment of chronic migraine headaches. Botulinum toxin A is used as it works by blocking certain chemical nerve signals that lead to muscle contractions as well as blocking release of neurotransmitter called Acetylcholine which transmits pain signals.
Doctors first started using Botox to treat eye problems such as strabismus (crossed eyes) and spasms of neck muscles, but soon discovered its effectiveness in relieving migraine headaches as well. By conducting tests in patients, doctors discovered a significant reduction in chronic migraine headache days per month after administering Botox treatments.
Botulinum toxin injections may help alleviate migraine headaches in various parts of your face, head, and neck – including forehead, temples and back of head. The procedure typically lasts less than 15 minutes while those suffering chronic migraine headaches may require several sessions over time to achieve their desired effect.
Migraine Triggers
Migraines can be caused by various internal and external stimuli. If you can identify your migraine triggers, one effective treatment option for migraines would be avoiding them. A headache diary and tracking patterns of pain could help both yourself and healthcare provider devise an appropriate avoidance strategy.
Triggers include bright lights, loud noises and strong odors. Some individuals may also be sensitive to foods containing additives like nitrates or MSG that have an effect on them.
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol may help treat migraines; usually acetaminophen (Tylenol) should be the initial choice since it’s safe during pregnancy. If OTC medications don’t bring relief, your doctor may refer you to a neurologist for alternative prescription migraine medication options, including triptans (eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), and rizatriptan (Maxalt), which may come in oral, nasal spray or subcutaneous injection forms.
