What Are The Common Migraine Medications?

What Are The Common Migraine Medications

What Are The Common Migraine Medications?

The number of migraine medications available on the market today is much larger and more varied than it was just a few years ago.

With the considerable amount of research and advanced imaging technology available doctors are now able to view the brain during a migraine attack. This gives them insight as to how they can  treat these headaches.

Migraine medications will fall into three different categories.

The first is pain relief which should be taken as soon as you experience signs and symptoms of the migraine. Some of the more common drugs that are in the pain relief category are the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or Motrin, triptans. Another class of painkillers includes ergotamines which are much less expensive than the triptans but just as effective.

The Second type of medications are for nausea and vomiting: People who suffer from migraines usually also experienced nausea and vomiting and anti-nausea drugs are usually combined with other medications.  In some instances physicians will prescribe opiates which are medications that contain narcotics especially codeine.  Research has determined however that those people who consistently use opiates and narcotics to treat the pain of migraine can experience rebound headaches which actually worsen the condition.

The third type of medications are the preventive medications: most of the patients who suffer from migraines can benefit from preventative medications. But unfortunately most patients don’t take them. Preventative medications tend to reduce the severity and length of the migraine headaches.  In most cases they do not eliminate the headaches.

Some of the prescription drugs that fall into this category are cardiovascular drugs such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers, antidepressants anti-seizure drugs, anti-histamines.

Patients who suffer from migraine headaches should consult with their neurologist and pharmacist in order to develop the best overall treatment plan they can for their specific individual needs.

The way that your body responds to a prescription drug can change over time. This is why it’s important that you inform your doctor if you feel that the prescribed medication is not working for you.  If this is the case, your medicine may need to be adjusted or even changed. Keep track of previous medications that you’ve tried so that your doctor doesn’t prescribe them again if they had failed.  When you write these things down be sure to note why you stop a medication.  Sometimes the side effects may be the reason for stopping a medication and other times it may be that the medication just didn’t work.

You should always consult with your doctor before taking and medications or beginning any medical treatment.

For additional information about migraine headaches visit our previous post.