Migraines are a fairly common form of headache. In fact, Medline Plus estimates that around 11 percent of the population suffers from a migraine at least once in their life. Migraines are likely caused by abnormalities in the brain, involving reactions from the brain's chemicals, nerves and blood vessels (see References 2). There are several different treatment options for migraine, including prophylactic, abortive, preventative and alternative.
Function
Abortive drugs for migraines are those that are taken after a migraine attack begins. These differ in makeup from prophylactic medications, which are taken daily to prevent or reduce the severity of migraine attacks. Abortive drugs are designed to treat the symptoms of a migraine attack, including pain, nausea or visual disturbances such as a migraine aura.
Types
Some abortive drugs for migraine are available over the counter; however, many require a doctor's prescription. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, can often be purchased in drug stores and include ibuprofen and aspirin. Acetaminophen is another common abortive painkiller which is also available over the counter. For people with severe migraine pain, both NSAIDs and acetaminophen some in stronger prescription strengths. Abortive drugs that treat pain and other migraine symptoms include triptans and ergot, though medications specifically for nausea may also be prescribed to reduce symptoms during a migraine attack (see References 1). For people with severe migraine pain, barbiturates and opiates may be prescribed but usually only as a last resort.
Effects
According to the Mayo Clinic, most NSAIDs relieve mild to moderate pain. NSAIDs combine pain relief with an anti-inflammatory that some migraines respond to. Sometimes NSAIDs or acetaminophen combined with caffeine may work best against migraine pain. Triptans affect the blood vessels in the brain, and ergot drugs alter the way pain sensations are transmitted (see References 3). These may be used to treat more severe migraines. Opiates and barbiturates have a sedative effect and also change the way pain is perceived in the short term.
Warnings
The National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke, or NINDS, warns that opiates should only be used for severe, acute migraines and not be considered as a long-term abortive drug. This may be due to their potential for causing drug tolerance or withdrawal symptoms, in addition to risks of addiction and overdose. According to the Mayo Clinic, NSAIDs can lead to digestive problems with regular long-term use and can induce a condition called a rebound headache. Medline Plus adds that triptans may not be appropriate for those with heart disease due to their effects on the body's blood vessels.
Considerations
Though many alternative remedies are considered a preventative for migraines, there are alternative abortive treatments as well. Both acupuncture and magnesium can relieve migraine symptoms once they begin (see References 1). The Mayo Clinic also reports that biofeedback training can teach relaxation strategies when a migraine attack is coming on, which may decrease the severity of some symptoms.
