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Medical Information from the Cleveland Clinic: Migraines and Headaches: Migraine Treatment
Treatment for migraine headaches can relieve the pain and symptoms of a migraine attack -- and prevent further migraine attacks.
Below are the treatments for migraines.
What Are Abortive Medications?
Abortive medications, when used at the first sign of a migraine, can stop the process that causes the headache pain. By stopping the headache process, abortive medications help prevent the symptoms of migraines including pain, nausea, and sound and light sensitivity. Some medications should not be used during a migraine aura; please follow the instructions of your doctor.
The following medications are used to stop the headache process:
| Category | Generic Name | Brand Name | May be used during an aura? | Possible Side Effects |
| Over-the-counter | Ibuprofen | Motrin | Stomach upset | |
| Aspirin-Acetominophen-Caffeine | Excedrin Migraine, Excedrine, Goody's | Heartburn Anxiety Insomnia Allergic Reaction Liver Damage Blood in stool or vomit Dizziness Easy bruising | ||
| Diclofenac | Cataflam | Stomach upset Bloating Dizziness Drowsiness Loss of appetite | ||
| Ketaprofen | Actron Orudis KT | Gastrointestinal upset Gastrointestinal bleeding Nausea Vomiting Rash Liver damage | ||
| Ketorolac | Toradol | Gastrointestinal upset Drowsiness, dizziness Vision problems Ulcers | ||
| Flurbiprofen | Ansaid | Gastrointestinal upset Drowsiness, dizziness Vision problems Ulcers | ||
| Meclofenamate | Meclomen | Gastrointestinal upset Drowsiness, dizziness Vision problems Ulcers | ||
| Meclofenamate | Meclomen | Gastrointestinal upset Drowsiness, dizziness Vision problems Ulcers | ||
| Naproxen | Aleve | Gastrointestinal upset Gastrointestinal bleeding Nausea Vomiting Rash Liver damage | ||
| Ergot | ergotamine tartrate | Cafergot suppositories and tablets | Yes | Nausea Cramps Agitation (sometimes) |
| dihydroergotamie | DHE-45 injection Migranal intranasal | Yes -- as indicated for Migranal intranasal only | Nausea Numbness of fingers and toes | |
| ergotamine | Bellergal | Yes | Drowsiness Blurred vision Dryness of the mouth | |
| Vasocon-strictor Combina-tion | acetaminophen isometheptene mucate dichloralphenazone | Midrin Duradrin | Yes | Sedation Nausea |
| Serotonin Receptor Agonist | sumatriptan succinate | Imitrex injection, oral or intranasal | NO (injection) YES (oral or intranasal) | Head, jaw, chest and arm discomfort, tightening or tingling Throat discomfort Muscle cramps Flushing |
| zolmitriptan | Zomig | YES | Head, jaw, chest and arm discomfort, tightening or tingling Throat discomfort Muscle cramps Flushing | |
| rizatriptan | Maxalt | YES | Head, jaw, chest and arm discomfort, tightening or tingling Throat discomfort Muscle cramps Flushing | |
| naratriptan hydrochloride | Amerge | YES | Head, jaw, chest and arm discomfort, tightening or tingling Throat discomfort Muscle cramps Flushing | |
| almotriptan | Axert | YES | Head, jaw, chest and arm discomfort, tightening or tingling Throat discomfort Muscle cramps Flushing | |
| frovatriptan | Frova | No | Head, jaw, chest and arm discomfort, tightening or tingling Throat discomfort Muscle cramps Flushing | |
| Eletriptan | Relpax | YES | Chest tightness, dizziness, dry mouth, headache, nausea, numbness and tingling, sleepiness, jaw, throat discomfort |
What Is Preventive Therapy?
Preventive medications, prescribed to take on a daily basis, are used to treat very frequent tension headaches and migraines, or the combination of both types of headaches. Preventive treatment is aimed at reducing both the frequency and severity of the headaches.
To be effective, all preventive medications must be taken one or more times every day. It may be necessary for your doctor to change the medications and modify their dosages in order to discover which medication or combination of medications, and at which dosages, work best to reduce the frequency and severity of your headache pain.
Migraines & Headaches Guide
TOPAMAX is approved for migraine prevention in adults only.
TOPAMAX is not used to stop a migraine after it starts.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Serious risks associated with TOPAMAX include lowered bicarbonate levels in the blood resulting in an increase in the acidity of the blood (metabolic acidosis). Symptoms could include hyperventilation (rapid, deep breathing), tiredness, loss of appetite, irregular heartbeat or changes in the level of alertness. Call your doctor immediately if you get these symptoms. Your doctor may want to do simple blood tests. Chronic, untreated metabolic acidosis may increase the risk for kidney stones or bone disease.
Other serious risks include decreased sweating, increased body temperature, kidney stones, sleepiness, dizziness, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and increased eye pressure (glaucoma). Call your doctor immediately if you have any decrease in vision or eye pain. These problems can lead to blindness if not treated right away.
More common side effects are tingling in arms and legs, loss of appetite, tiredness, nausea, diarrhea, taste change and weight loss.
Tell your doctor about other medications you take. Please see full U.S. Prescribing Information.
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