Migraine Treatment Options: Medications & Prevention

The types of migraines are numerous, but all of them are quite painful. A person's quality of life suffers dramatically because of them. Unfortunately, no one yet knows the exact cause of migraines. Along with medications, The National Headache Foundation recommends keeping a migraine diary to pinpoint when attacks are most likely to occur.

Preventative

• These types of medications are taken daily in the hopes of stopping a migraine attack before it happens. They do not treat migraine pain. These include beta blockers, antidepressants and calcium channel blockers.

OTC Medications

• Over-the-counter medications must be taken as soon as a person realizes that they are getting a migraine. These include aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen (called paracetamol in the United Kingdom) and naxoproxen.

Types

• Medications to stop migraine pain come in tablets, quick-dissolve powders, nasal sprays, suppositories and injectable types. All are available only through prescriptions.

Variety

• The most common prescription medications to stop a migraine attack are triptans and butorphanol tartrate. Rarely are narcotic painkillers such as codeine or methadone used.

Warning

• Many of these medications have serious long-term side effects, including becoming a cause for migraines. When the body becomes dependent on a medication, it will produce withdrawal symptoms like migraines.