Migraine Medicines

Basic Migraine Medicines Lessen The Frequency And Severity Of Migraines.

Migraine sufferers have more choices than ever when it comes to migraine medicines. There are two main categories of migraine medicines: pain-relieving migraine medicines and preventive migraine medicines. Pain-relieving medicines are designed for use during migraine attacks. To be most effective, these should be taken as soon as symptoms of migraine appear. For non-severe attacks, the best pain-relieving migraine medicines are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These include ibuprofen and aspirin. Specific migraine medicines such as Excedrin combine aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine to effectively combat moderate attacks. Overuse of NSAIDs can lead to rebound headaches, in addition to other undesirable side effects. These side effects include gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers.

Those who suffer from severe attacks might need stronger migraine medicines. Triptans are one popular choice. They relieve pain, as well as other symptoms associated with migraines, such as nausea and light sensitivity. Popular triptans include Imitrex, Zomig, and Maxalt. Triptans are not recommended for patients who suffer from heart disease. Preventive migraine medicines are typically taken on a regular basis. These medications lessen the frequency and severity of migraines.

Theyre recommended for those who experience at least two severe attacks a month, or if pain-relieving migraine medicines alone are not adequate. The most common preventive migraine medicines include anti-depressants; anti-seizure medications; and cyproheptadine, an antihistamine. Tricyclic anti-depressants are the most effective. They affect the level of serotonin in a sufferers brain, which reduces migraines. The tricyclic anti-depressants most commonly used as migraine medicines are Pamelor and Vivactil. Anti-seizure medicines such as Depakote and Topamax can also reduce the frequency of migraine attacks, but patients who use them are at high risk for side effects that include dizziness, vomiting, hair loss, and diarrhea. Many migraine sufferers find that a combination of preventive and pain-relieving migraine medicines are most effective in managing their conditions.