Migraines are one of the most common types of headache. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, migraines are likely caused by changes that take place in the brain. In addition to pain, they may cause symptoms such as nausea and visual disturbances (see References 2). For many people, migraines are a chronic condition, occurring regularly for months or even years.
Significance of Abortive Treatments
"Abortive treatment" is the term for a medication that it taken to stop symptoms. For migraines, these are medications taken to relieve pain and other symptoms of a migraine attack already in progress. According to the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke, or NINDS, abortive treatments for migraine restore function after a migraine attack. Abortive treatments differ from medications taken daily for migraine prevention, called prophylactic medications. Many people need to use both types of medications to manage chronic migraines.
Pain Relief
Once a migraine begins, certain medications can provide pain relief. Migraine pain is often described as pulsing or pounding and may be worse on one side of the head or face than the other. According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the more common abortive migraine medications for this type of pain include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, or NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium. Acetaminophen is another popular choice. These medications are available in both over-the-counter and prescriptions strengths. Some also contain caffeine as an active ingredient (see References 1). For severe migraines, the Mayo Clinic reports that strong narcotic painkillers called opiates may also be prescribed but usually only as a last resort.
Relief From Other Symptoms
In addition to pain, migraines cause a number of other symptoms including nausea and sensitivity to sound and light. Specialized medications called triptans help relieve both migraine pain and some of these other symptoms as well (see References 1). Triptans typically require a prescription. Some migraine sufferers also benefit from combining a painkiller with an anti-nausea medication. The Mayo Clinic reports that prescription anti-nausea medications are frequently prescribed for this purpose.
Considerations
Unlike prophylactic medications, abortive treatments for migraine are not meant for daily use, though some people only treat their chronic migraines this way. According to the Mayo Clinic, people who suffer from two or more migraines a month may be candidates for daily preventative migraine medication. They report that about half of migraine sufferers qualify for preventative treatment; however, only around 10 percent actually use it. While prophylactic migraine medication does not eliminate the need for abortive treatments, it can help either lessen the severity of or prevent some attacks from occurring.
Warning
Many of the abortive treatments for migraine are safe for occasional use; however, over time, even over-the-counter products have potential long-term risks. These include liver damage, gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers. The Mayo Clinic also lists rebound headaches, which are caused by overuse, as a potential long-term effect of NSAIDs. Additionally, opiates taken for abortive treatment purposes carry a risk of drug tolerance, addiction and overdose.
