Migraine headaches are a not just a nuisance; they are debilitating symptom of a disorder characterized by other symptoms, such as nausea, fatigue and sensitivity to light and sound. Those suffering with migraines have several options for pain relief, including over-the-counter medications for mild attacks, preventative medications for frequent attacks and triptans for a fast fix.
Preventative Medications
Preventative medications are prescribed to migraine sufferers who experience several migraine headaches per month. They may be a better option than pain medications, as they work to reduce the frequency of headaches, eliminating the need for excessive use of pain relievers that can lead to rebound headaches (if used too often). Preventative medications come in several types, often used to prevent seizures in epileptic patients (anti-seizure medications), ease depression in those with mental disorders (antidepressants) and even improve blood pressure (medicine known as beta blockers). Most patients take these medications daily to decrease migraine attacks. Because these drugs do not work on pain, pain medications can still be taken when a migraine occurs. Name-brand preventative drugs include Topamax and Depakote.
Over-the-counter Medications
Over-the-counter medications for migraine headaches are often not aggressive enough to fend off the relentless pain accompanied by a migraine. However, mild migraine headaches may become manageable with drugs such as ibuprofen, naproxen or even aspirin. These drugs are also available in varieties marketed for migraine headache relief (such as Advil Migraine and Excedrin Migraine) formulated with caffeine, which is thought to heighten the effects of the medicine. Additional caffeine should be avoided while taking these drugs.
Triptans
Triptans are the most frequently prescribed medicines for stopping migraine attacks, according to Medline Plus. They are available in various forms, such as pill, nasal spray and injections. These medications work quickly to reduce inflammation of the blood vessels in the brain, which are responsible for migraine pain. Other symptoms accompanying the migraine may also be relieved with triptan medications. Triptans must be taken at the first signs of pain, however. In addition, the drugs are not for everyone; those with heart conditions or who are obese or a risk for heart attack may not be prescribed the drugs. Name brand triptans include Relpax and Imitrex.
