Migraines can impede daily life and cause loss of both work and sleep. Many factors can trigger migraines, such as light and sound sensitivity, specific foods (aged cheeses or chocolate), caffeine, alcohol or simply skipping meals.
OTC pain relievers such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen may provide temporary relief of mild to moderate migraine headache symptoms. Other effective remedies may include using ice packs, hot or cold compresses and creating an ambient dark space to relax in.
1. Over-the-Counter (OTC) Pain Relievers
No matter the cause of your pain, drugstore shelves offer many pain medicines ranging from Tylenol (acetaminophen) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium to help.
Both OTC medicines can reduce or stop pain and decrease fevers; however, their methods differ: Acetaminophen blocks pain messages in the brain while not reducing inflammation; while NSAIDs do.
Make sure to read labels carefully and follow all instructions, especially if the medicine doesn’t relieve your symptoms; contact your physician as you may require prescription medication. Also be wary of taking OTC medicines along with other drugs or substances which could alter how your body responds. For instance, cough and cold medications often contain combinations of acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); make sure to read label carefully in order to prevent accidentally overdosing on medication.
2. NSAIDs
NSAIDs such as aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are among the most frequently prescribed treatments for migraine. While they’re not as effective as prescription medicines like triptans and ergot alkaloids, they do provide relief from mild to moderate symptoms. Furthermore, when combined with triptans they can increase efficacy while simultaneously decreasing side effects like nausea and vomiting.
Even with advances in migraine-specific drugs such as fast-acting CGRP inhibitors like eptinezumab (Vyepti), erenumab (Aimovig), and galcanezumab (Zavzpret), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs remain the go-to choice for mild to moderate symptoms in those unable to take triptans or other prescription medications; and can often be less costly, according to Cleveland Clinic research.
Studies have demonstrated that both NSAIDs and triptans perform equally well; additionally there is one medication combining an NSAID with a triptan (sumatriptan plus naproxen sodium; Treximet). Rectal preparations of NSAIDs may be more effective at disabling migraine attacks and improving early response; however there’s no evidence these drugs improve late response.
3. Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SRIs)
Migraine can often coincide with psychological symptoms. Depression and anxiety may contribute to its onset and worsen its severity; thus it’s essential that those living with these disorders seek professional treatment, as it can be very challenging to do it alone.
SSRIs can help address numerous mood disorders, from depression and anxiety to neuronal damage caused by migraine. Their action lies in blocking serotonin from being reabsorbed into nerve terminals, increasing its availability in synaptic clefts. Furthermore, some have anti-neurotic properties which reduce nausea and vomiting associated with migraines.
Recent research indicates that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are more effective than placebo and at least as effective as amitriptyline in treating episodic migraine headaches in adults. Fluoxetine and venlafaxine are among the more widely studied SSRIs while SNRIs include fluoxetine, sertraline, and paroxetine for adults reducing migraine headaches symptoms – however both were better tolerated with minimal side effects reported from either therapy than from taking an amitriptyline prescription.
4. Triptans
An array of prescription migraine medicines is available to prevent and treat migraines, both by preventing them and treating existing ones. Triptans, for instance, act on serotonin receptors within your brain while narrowing blood vessels and decreasing inflammation.
Triptans come in various forms and are FDA-approved for adults and kids aged 12 or above. Your physician may suggest an oral tablet, dissolving tablet that dissolves under your tongue, injection, or nasal spray as the best choice.
Some triptans, such as naratriptan (Amerge) and frovatriptan (Frova), remain in your body for an extended period, which may help if your headaches last for extended periods or are frequent. Your doctor will select the ideal triptan depending on your history, symptoms and other medical conditions – including medication overuse headache (MOH) caused by taking migraine medications too frequently.
