Migraines are headaches that cause severe pain for hours or days. Nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light often accompany a migraine headache. There is no cure for migraine headaches, but medications can help alleviate symptoms and reduce the frequency of attacks.
Triptans
Triptans are the fist line of defense for moderate to severe migraines and are taken at the first sign of a migraine. Sumatriptan is the most studied triptan and can provide relief within 15 minutes. According to the NYT Health Guide, migraines can return within 24 hour in 20 to 40 percent of patients who take sumatriptan. Zolmitriptan, naratriptan and frovatriptan are newer triptans.
Pain Relievers
Advil Migraine and Motrin Migraine are both approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), contain ibuprofen and help relieve migraine pain. Excedrin Migraine contains acetaminophen, caffeine and aspirin and is also FDA approved. Opioids and barbiturates, which are not FDA approved for migraine pain, are occasionally used for migraine relief.
Tricyclic Antidepressants
Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, can help prevent migraines by altering the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain, Dr. Jerry Swanson from the Mayo Clinic states. Side effects of antidepressants include weight gain, fatigue, constipation and dry mouth. SSRI and SNRI antidepressants have not shown to be effective in preventing migraines.
Anti-seizure Medications
Divalproex sodium and topiramate are the only anti-seizure medications that are FDA approved for preventing migraines. The University of Maryland states that in a 2006 study, patients taking topiramate experienced fewer migraines for up to 14 months. Side effects of anti-seizure medications include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight changes, drowsiness and dizziness.
Nausea Medication
Promethazine hydrochloride, chlorpromazine and prochlorperazine are prescription medications to help reduce nausea associated with migraines.
