Migraine relief medicine alleviates the painful symptoms associated with a migraine headache. Due to the disabling effects of a migraine, there are a variety of migraine relief medicines that work to counter the symptoms and onset of these vascular headaches.
For mild migraines, treatment usually involves over-the-counter medications. These kinds of medications include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) which contain ibuprofen or aspirin. For severe migraines, a doctor may prescribe abortive medications, a type of medicine that targets the cause of the headache rather than the symptoms.
According to the Mayo Clinic, 17 percent of women and 6 percent of men have experienced migraines at some point in their lives. Overall, 28 million Americans suffer from migraine headaches.
The good news is that by combining the appropriate kinds of medicine with the necessary lifestyle behaviors, you can effectively manage your migraine attacks.
What to Look for
The safest way to find the right migraine relief medicine for you is to talk to your doctor. Since migraines vary greatly from person to person, what works for one migraine-sufferer may not work for another.
For mild migraines, NSAIDs work to relieve pain. This class of medication, which includes Advil, Motrin and others, can be purchased over-the-counter at your local pharmacy.
For moderate to severe migraines, your doctor may prescribe a class of abortive migraine medicines known as triptans. Imitrex and Amerge are two commonly prescribed triptans that target the primary symptoms of severe migraines by constricting the blood vessels in the head. They work to relieve pain, reduce sensitivity to light and sound and lessen nausea.
Ergots are also another kind of abortive medicines that can be prescribed but they are less effective than triptans.
Narcotics like codeine and drugs that include butalbital, which is a sedative, are seldom prescribed to treat migraines given their potential for addiction and withdrawal symptoms.
Common Pitfalls
Many migraine sufferers don't realize that simply taking a few Advil tablets can be dangerous. Not only can over-the-counter pain reducers cause stomach ulcers or abdominal bleeding, but if they are taken frequently, you can experience rebound headaches. Rebound headaches are a serious side effect that are caused when the medicine incites a migraine rather than lessens its symptoms.
In addition, triptans should not be taken if you have a history of cardiovascular disease. Since this class of drugs constricts arteries in the head and heart, they carry the rare but potentially fatal side effect of causing a heart attack or stroke in predisposed individuals.
Many migraine relief medications have side effects and potentially dangerous drug interactions. It is therefore necessary to discuss your condition with your doctor before taking any medicine.
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