Migraines usually occur as severe, extended headaches, and cause many symptoms such as sensitivity to light and sounds, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, irritability and visual disturbances such as bright, flashing irregular lights. Beta-blockers primarily work to lower high blood pressure, but their effects can help treat migraines, according to Migraines.org. They do this by helping to relax the pulsating blood vessels surrounding the brain.
Atenolol
Atenolol is a medication classified as an antihypertensive medication that classifies as a beta-adrenergic blocking agent. It functions in the treatment of migraine headaches because it helps to relax the blood vessels surrounding the brain. Medical researchers believe it may reduce migraine symptoms or prevent migraines from occurring by decreasing the amount of stress hormones secreted, including prostaglandins. MayoClinic.com says atenolol may induce some common serious side effects that require medical attention. Such effects include shortness of breath, mental confusion, vision blurring and chest tightness, among others.
Metoprolol
Physicians may prescribe the beta-blocker metoprolol to help prevent the occurrence of migraine headaches, the National Institutes of Health says. By affecting blood vessel actions in the brain through changes in the nerve impulses and by reducing and controlling the heart rate, metoprolol can decrease the chance migraine headaches will occur. Common, non-serious side effects of metoprolol may include nausea, vomiting, constipation, mental depression and dizziness, among others, the NIH says. These side effects may happen typically when the person starts taking metoprolol, but they generally end without help from medications or a doctor. If they appear severe and do not end, the organization recommends consultation with a medical professional.
Nadolol
By decreasing the stress hormone, Nadolol effectively decreases the occurrences of migraine headaches. Most side effects commonly classify as non-serious and temporary. Drugs.com reports some of these effects include bradycardia or a slow heartbeat, abnormal tiredness, fatigue and dizziness. Serious side effects of nadolol do not occur commonly, MayoClinic.com says.
Propranolol
Propranolol works similarly to all drugs in this class, MayoClinic.com indicates. By changing the tension of the blood vessels to a relaxed state, the medication can help prevent migraine headaches. Only common and non-serious side effects such as nausea, insomnia, dizziness, diarrhea, constipation and injection site pain or swelling occur with the use of propranolol, Drugs.com says.
