Migraine pain is intense and can greatly interfere with daily activities. Although there are many treatments available that can help relieve migraine pain, each treatment varies in the way it works and in the symptoms it treats. Therefore, it is important to do your research about each treatment and talk to your doctor to decide which option may be right for you.
Prescription Preventative Medication
Instead of waiting for a migraine headache to occur before taking medication, there are medications that can be taken on a regular basis to prevent migraines from occurring in the first place. Cardiovascular drugs, antidepressants, anti-seizure drugs and botulinum toxin type A are sometimes prescribed to prevent migraines in adults, according to the Mayo Clinic, while the antihistamine Cyproheptadine may be prescribed to prevent migraines in children.
Over-the-Counter Medications
According to the National Headache Foundation, three over-the-counter medications are approved by the FDA for the treatment of migraine pain: Excedrin Migraine, Advil Migraine Liqui-gels and Motrin Migraine. In addition to these medications, other over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, acetaminophen or naproxen can also reduce migraine pain.
Triptan Medication
Triptan is a type of medication that is effective at relieving the pain, nausea and sensitivity to sound and light many people experience with migraine pain. Side effects include dizziness, muscle weakness and nausea. Sumatriptan, rizatriptan, naratriptan, zolmitriptan, almotriptan, frovatriptan and electriptan are some common triptan medications prescribed for migraines. A combination pill of sumatriptan and naproxen sodium marketed under the brand name Treximet became available in 2008 and is more effective in relieving migraine pain than either of the two medications taken alone, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Ergot Medication
Ergotamine medication is less expensive than triptan medications but can also be less effective, according to the Mayo Clinic, and may not be readily available. However, a derivative of ergot called Dihydroergotamine is available as a self-injectable medication. This has fewer side effects and is more effective than regular ergotamine.
Anti-Nausea Medications
Nausea can occur with migraines, and therefore anti-nausea medication is sometimes used for treatment. Metoclopramide or prochlorperazine are two anti-nausea medications that are frequently prescribed with other migraine treatments.
Butalbital Combination Medication
Butalbital is a sedative that is sometimes combined with aspirin, acetaminophen, caffeine or codeine to treat migraine attacks. However, these combination pills have a high risk of rebound headaches. People also may experience withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication. Therefore, these medications should only be used if other medications prove ineffective and should not be used too frequently, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Opiate Medication
Narcotic medication, especially codeine, is sometimes prescribed to treat very severe, medication-resistant migraine headaches. However, since narcotics are addicting, the Mayo Clinic suggests that this type of medication should only be used as a last resort and avoided completely if possible.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback uses special equipment to help train people on how to recognize the physical signs of stress in the body. Once a person becomes adept at recognizing these signs, the equipment is no longer necessary and the person can take the appropriate measures to manage or reduce stress and tension in the body before it has the chance to manifest in the form of a migraine. According to the National Headache Foundation, this technique may be particularly useful for children since it does not require medication and children generally have an easier time adapting and changing than adults.
Massage
Getting regular body massages may be a good way to prevent migraines. It not only can relax the body and reduce stress, but may help encourage a better night's sleep, which is also useful at preventing migraines. However, in addition to preventing migraines, massaging the head may also be useful in reducing migraine pain, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is performed by an acupuncture practitioner inserting several thin needles into the skin at various places. It has been clinically proven to be helpful at relieving headache pain, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Herbs, Vitamins and Minerals
There are several different kinds of herbs, vitamins and minerals that may also help relieve migraines. Feverfew and butterbur have been shown to be effective at preventing migraines or reducing their severity, according to the Mayo Clinic, but should not be used by pregnant women. Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2) taken in high doses may correct small deficiencies in the brain cells and therefore prevent migraine headaches, and Co-enzyme Q10 may also be useful. Finally, magnesium is also an effective migraine treatment. Although there is some debate on the effectiveness of oral magnesium, an intravenous magnesium treatment delivered while a person is having a migraine attack has shown to be useful, particularly if the person has a magnesium deficiency, according to the Mayo Clinic.
