What is a Migraine?
A migraine isn’t just a headache. It is intense incapacitating episodes that affect concentration, productivity, and overall well-being.
A person who has a migraine can be very sensitive to sound, light, and smell. Migraines also trigger visual disturbances and may cause vomiting or nausea.
Migraines are usually treated with specific medications. There are two kinds of migraine treatments available:
- Acute treatment is designed for pain or other symptoms that characterize a migraine headache.
- Preventive treatment helps to reduce the severity of migraines or the frequency at which they occur.
Drugs for Acute Treatment of Migraine
Drugs in this category are taken once you notice the symptoms of migraine. They reduce the severity of the migraine or may relieve it outright.
However, these medications can lead to rebound chronic headaches if they are taken too frequently. This occurs as a result of the excessive use of drugs to treat migraine symptoms, often necessitating additional medication to bring about migraine relief.
If you have chronic migraine (that requires you to take drugs at least 9 times per month), then see your doctor ASAP! They will guide you on possible preventive treatments.
Drugs for Acute Treatment of Migraine | |
Painkillers |
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Ergotamines |
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Triptans |
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Anti-nausea Medications |
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Opioids |
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Painkillers
Migraine headaches can often be managed with over-the-counter painkillers, though stronger pain medications usually require a prescription.
Most painkillers (except acetaminophen) are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Many painkillers used for the treatment of headaches or migraines combine one or more of the drugs listed above together with some caffeine. This makes them work faster and also increases their efficacy, especially for mild migraines.
There are several side effects that can result from long-term use of NSAID medications in treating migraines, such as:
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Kidney damage
- Stomach ulcers
Ergotamines
Ergotamines have been used for migraine treatment for a long time. They were the first class of drugs used for migraine treatment. Ergotamines cause contraction of your cranial blood vessels (blood vessels around your brain), leading to migraine relief within a few minutes.
Ergotamines are available in different forms, including injections, suppositories, nasal sprays, tablets that can dissolve under your tongue, and pills. Ergotamines are usually taken once you notice the first symptoms of headaches.
Some ergotamines can be taken every 30 minutes if the migraine persists.
You should note that ergotamines have bad side effects. High doses are very toxic and can cause heart problems and birth defects.
It is contraindicated in pregnant women, breastfeeding mums, or people with heart disease. It is also important to note that ergotamines interact negatively with other medications, like antibiotics and antifungal medications.
Triptans
Triptans are a new class of drugs. They work by increasing the level of serotonin in your brain, constricting the blood vessels in your brain, and reducing inflammation, which brings the migraine to an end.
Triptans are available in many forms, like injections, nasal sprays, tablets, and pills.
Migraine treatment with triptan medications is sometimes accompanied by the following side effects:
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- nausea
- numbness in your toes or a tingling sensation in them
- discomfort or tightness in your throat or chest
Triptans are not good for people who have a high risk of stroke. People with heart problems should also avoid triptans.
You should also note that triptans can cause serotonin syndrome if taken alongside antidepressants or other drugs that can increase serotonin levels.
Anti-nausea Medications
Anti-nausea drugs reduce the vomiting and nausea that accompany migraines. These drugs are taken together with painkillers because they do not have any analgesic effect.
Anti-nausea medications can cause drowsiness, dizziness, make you less alert, or cause other side effects.
Opioids
Doctors usually prescribe opioids when other painkillers fail to resolve your migraine. Opioids are also prescribed for people who cannot take triptans or ergotamines.
Opioids are very powerful painkillers.
The problem with opioids is that they have a very high risk of addiction, and that’s why doctors don’t prescribe them all the time.
Drugs for Preventive Treatment of Migraine
Preventive drugs may be recommended by your doctor if you suffer from migraines very often, and they will help to reduce the intensity and frequency of your migraine attacks.
Preventive drugs for migraines are taken regularly, in most cases, daily. Your doctor may prescribe these drugs alone or may combine them with other medications.
Preventive drugs don’t work at once. Sometimes, they may take a few weeks or, in some cases, months to become effective.
Most migraine prevention medications treat other conditions as well as migraines.
Drugs for Preventive Treatment of Migraine | ||
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Anticonvulsants |
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Antidepressants |
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Calcium Channel Blockers |
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Beta-blockers |
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CGRP Antagonists |
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Botulinum toxin Type A
It is also known as Botox. It is an FDA-approved medication usually administered as an injection in your neck muscles or your forehead. It treats chronic migraines.
Botox treatments are done every three months and are usually very expensive.
Anticonvulsants
Anticonvulsants work for epilepsy-induced seizures. They ease migraine symptoms by relaxing hyperactive brain nerves.
Anticonvulsants have many side effects which may include:
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Weight gain
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
Antidepressants
Antidepressants affect the level of serotonin and other brain chemicals. A high serotonin level can cause blood vessel constriction and also reduce inflammation, thus alleviating migraines.
Antidepressants also have some side effects, such as decreased libido and weight gain.
Calcium Channel Blockers
Calcium channel blockers are drugs that treat blood pressure issues. They moderate the dilation and constriction of your blood vessels. Note that dilation and constriction of your blood vessels are involved in migraine.
Calcium channel blockers have a few side effects. These include:
- Weight gain
- Low blood pressure
- Constipation
- Dizziness
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers are commonly used for the treatment of high blood pressure. They ease the effects of stress hormones on your blood vessels and your heart and also reduce the intensity and frequency of migraines.
Side effects of beta-blockers include:
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Dizziness when standing
- Insomnia
CGRP Antagonists
They are the newest migraine prevention medications.
CGRP antagonists target the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). CGRP is a protein found in the brain region. It is involved in migraine pain.
Outlook
Acute drugs are the mainstay of treating chronic migraines, but because of the risk of developing medication overuse headaches, preventive treatment is essential. Oral medicines, such as paracetamol or aspirin and triptans, guarantee immediate relief, but such medications can worsen the situation in the long run when taken too often.
Medical management includes the use of daily prophylactic medications that include beta-blockers and CGRP antagonists that treat, and not just relieve, migraines. Despite the fact that proper start requires time, these kinds of treatments can effectively alleviate the cycle of acute medication overuse.
Taking advice from healthcare providers establishes an appropriate proportion of therapeutic approaches and enhances the customers’ quality of living besides reducing migraine mightiness.
There’s More
Apart from medication, adding supplements to your migraine management plan can benefit you a great deal. A product like Mag L-Threonate can help minimize migraine symptoms thus improving brain health. Other products like Migranol are also ideal for migraine management since they provide nutritional support.
Note, the product recommended is not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure your ailments; it is a suggestion based on protocols used in practice. If your condition is of concern, please see your physician or seek emergency care.
If you need personalized advice on migraine management, complete the Dr. Food health questionnaire template.
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FAQ
Acute treatments (e.g., painkillers, triptans) relieve immediate symptoms, while preventive treatments (e.g., beta-blockers, CGRP antagonists) reduce migraine frequency over time.
Side effects vary but may include dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and, for opioids, risk of addiction. Always consult your doctor to manage potential risks.
Yes, supplements like magnesium may help, alongside lifestyle adjustments like stress management and avoiding triggers.
Tonika Bruce, DNP, MSN, RN, MBA is an accomplished nurse leader, published author, and personal development expert passionate about advancing healthcare management and quality patient outcomes.
She taps into the years of experience in healthcare management to produce credible and easy-to-understand health and leadership content. Her exceptional work has been featured in reputable publications, including Forbes, Recruiter, Inc, and the Color of Wellness magazine.
