Migraines & Headaches Health Center
Drugs to Treat Migraine Headaches
Treatment for migraine headaches can relieve the pain and symptoms of a migraine attack. Other medications can and prevent further migraine attacks.
Below are the treatments for migraines.
What Are Abortive Drugs for Migraines?
Abortive drugs are used at the first sign of a migraine and can stop the process that causes the headache pain after it has started. By stopping the headache process, these medications help prevent common symptoms of migraines such as 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 migraine headache process:
| Category | Generic Name | Brand Name | May be used during an aura? | Possible Side Effects |
| Over-the-counter | Ibuprofen | Motrin | Stomach upset | |
| Aspirin-Acetaminophen-Caffeine | Excedrin Migraine, Excedrin, Goody's | Heartburn Anxiety Insomnia Allergic reaction Liver Damage Blood in stool or vomit Dizziness Easy bruising |
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| Naproxen | Aleve | Gastrointestinal upset Gastrointestinal bleeding Nausea Vomiting Rash Liver damage |
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| Ergot | dihydroergotamie | DHE-45 injection Migranal intranasal | Yes -- as indicated for Migranal intranasal only | Nausea Numbness of fingers and toes |
| Vasoconstrictor Combination | acetaminophen isometheptene mucate dichloralphenazone | Midrin, Duradrin | Yes | Sedation Nausea |
| Triptans | 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 |
WebMD Medical Reference
Migraines & Headaches Guide1
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