Overview of Migraine Treatments

Having a migraine can cause severe pain that completely derails productivity and all efforts at establishing a normal routine. Luckily, there are a number of powerful treatments that can keep migraines in check or prevent them from happening.

There are two types of migraine treatments:

Pain-Relieving Medications: Taken during a migraine, abortive medication can help fight back against a migraine, eliminating or significantly reducing symptoms.

Preventive Medications: In order to stop a migraine from happening, you can take a preventative medication. While these medicines may not always stop a migraine, they can significantly reduce the pain.

Pain-Relieving Medications

There are a variety of pain-relieving medications that can be taken during a migraine attack to stop the pain in its tracks. The most common medications are the following:

Pain Relievers: Common over-the-counter medications. Take care when using these medications to avoid stomach issues.

• Ibuprofen
• Acetaminophen
• Combination of both paired with caffeine
• Indomethacin (suppository-based medication)

Ergots: Prescription medication that is ideal for migraines and headaches lasting more than 48 hours. More effective than over-the-counter pain relievers but less effective than Triptans.

• Ergotamine
• Dihydroergotamine

Triptans: Prescription medication or prescription injection that constricts blood vessels and blocks path messengers.

• Naratriptan Sumatriptan
• Rizatriptan
• Almotriptan
• Frovatriptan

Anti-Nausea Medications: A combination of anti-nausea medication and another pain reliever can be very effective at treating pain from migraines.

• Chlorpromazine
• Metoclopramide
• Prochlorperazine

Opioid Medications: Opioid medications may be prescribed for severe migraines, especially if a person cannot take or doesn’t find Triptans or Ergots to be effective.

• Codeine

Glucocorticoids: Used sparingly and with other pain relievers, glucocorticoids are an effective way to combat migraine pain.

• Prednisone
• Dexamethasone