3. Opioids
Migraine prevention can be accomplished using various medications. Blood pressure-reducing agents like propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), metoprolol (Lopressor), calcium channel blockers like verapamil (Calan, Verelan), tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline, anti-seizure medicines like valproate and topiramate as well as newer gepants such as atogepant (Qulipta), and rimegepant (Nurtec ODT), can all aiding prevent migraine headaches by blocking pain pathways within the brain; these drugs are taken either orally or intramuscularly for maximum efficiency.
Medical guidelines advise taking NSAIDs, triptans and acetaminophen as first-line acute treatments for migraine attacks; however, many patients do not respond favorably to these medications; for instance, some individuals cannot take triptans due to cardiovascular history; others find they don’t help their migraine symptoms at all; opioids might be necessary treatments; however, this could result in longer ED visits.
