High doses of riboflavin -- 250 times the amount you're likely to obtain from your diet -- prove "possibly effective" for preventing migraine headaches, according to Medline Plus, a service of the National Institutes of Health. Riboflavin deficiencies are rare and no evidence suggests that a lack of riboflavin causes migraines. Although you can purchase riboflavin -- vitamin B-2 -- without a prescription, talk to your doctor before using it in supplement form to treat migraines or for any other reason.
Migraine Symptoms and Triggers
Migraine headaches affect nearly one in nine people, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Caused by abnormal brain activity, symptoms of migraines include throbbing pain -- sometimes limited to one side of your head -- as well as nausea, sensitivity to light and vomiting. Visual disturbances may signal the onset of a migraine headache. Known triggers include stress, alcohol, exposure to bright lights, perfume or cigarette smoke, exercise and change in sleep habits. Hormonal changes, including the use of birth control pills, may trigger migraines. Some women experience fewer migraines during the latter stages of pregnancy.
Riboflavin Dose
The recommended daily allowance -- RDA -- for riboflavin ranges from 1.1 mg to 1.6 mg. The amount used to prevent migraine headaches is much higher -- 400 mg a day. You may need to take riboflavin for three months before noticing significant reduction in the number of migraine headaches you get. If you're deficient in riboflavin, doses of 5 mg to 30 mg will likely correct the deficiency. Riboflavin may also prevent cataracts. Doses range between 2.6 mg and 3 mg daily, sometimes combined with 40 mg of niacin -- vitamin B-3. Although riboflavin deficiency will unlikely cause migraine headaches, a lack of riboflavin may produce symptoms such as anemia, skin disorders, mouth sores and sore throat.
Traditional Treatment
Riboflavin, an alternative treatment for preventing migraines, demonstrates no ability to lessen the severity or duration of an established headache. Other preventive strategies include finding ways to manage stress and avoiding certain foods, such as dairy products, chocolate, peanut butter, nuts, onions and foods that contain tyramine -- red wine, aged cheese and figs, for example. All types of processed food, including pickles, hot dogs and commercial baked goods may trigger migraines. Traditional treatment to alleviate symptoms of a migraine headache include drinking water, resting in a darkened room, placing a cool cloth on your head and taking over-the-counter pain medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Your doctor may also prescribe medication to prevent or treat migraines.
Considerations
If you take riboflavin to prevent migraines keep in mind that the vitamin may interact with other medications you take. Two drugs -- an antibiotic called tetracycline and antichollinergic drugs used to treat conditions such as asthma and motion sickness -- may make it harder for your body to absorb riboflavin. Other medications that may alter the effectiveness of riboflavin include triclycic antidepressants, some antipsychotic medications, drugs to control epileptic seizures, diuretics and two types of cancer medications -- doxorubicin and methotrexate. Side effects of taking high doses of riboflavin include a change in urine color, increased urine output and diarrhea. To prevent riboflavin deficiency, include foods such as milk, green vegetables, eggs and nuts in your diet.
