Migraine medications are a benefit to many suffering with the painful, sometimes unbearable headaches. Several types of drugs are used, including preventative medications like topiramate, over-the-counter treatments like aspirin or ibuprofen and pain medications like sumatriptan. All of these medications have side effects, however. Talk to your doctor about any bothersome effects you experience when treating your migraine.
Over-the-counter Medications
While over-the-counter medications are often the mildest forms of drugs, available at your local pharmacy and even grocery store, these drugs can pose risks to health. If taken excessively (for too long or too often), medications like aspirin and ibuprofen can cause ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding and rebound headaches, according to the Mayo Clinic. Use only as directed and for no more than a few consecutive days to avoid these complications.
Triptans
Triptans are the most commonly prescribed medications for migraines, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These drugs are effective at relieving migraine pain quickly, working on inflammation in the blood vessels that causes migraine pain. In addition, triptans are helpful for easing common discomfort associated with migraine headaches, such as nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Side effects of triptans include risk of rebound headaches (occurring with frequent use), tightness or pain in the chest, vertigo, fatigue, jaw, throat or neck pain. Rarely, serious cardiac effects have occurred in patients with risks of cardiac complications. Those with existing conditions are generally not prescribed triptans, however.
Preventative Medications
Preventative medications are prescribed for those with frequent migraine headaches. These drugs may be helpful for decreasing the occurrence of migraines, reducing bouts of debilitating migraine headaches. These medications are often taken daily, as prescribed by a physician. Examples of preventative medications for migraines include anti-seizure drugs, also taken to eliminate seizures in epileptic patients. According to the Mayo Clinic, side effects associated with anti-seizure drugs like topiramate include weight changes, difficulty concentrating, decreased sweating, confusion or difficulty finding words, nausea, vomiting, numbness or tingling in the feet and more severe effects, such as seizures, sudden vision loss, increased heart rate and acute pain in the lower back or side accompanied by difficulty urinating .
Prescription Pain Relievers
Prescription pain medications, such as opiates and butibital medications, are sometimes used to treat migraine headaches. Butalbital medications contain sedatives for relaxation and acetaminophen or codeine to relieve severe headache pain. Opiates are also strong pain relievers combined with narcotics like codeine that are prescribed for extreme pain conditions. According to the Mayo Clinic, these drugs present high risks of rebound headaches and may cause withdrawal symptoms. Opiates may be habit-forming and are typically a last resort for migraine treatment.
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