Migraine headaches are among the symptoms of an actual condition known as migraine. Some medications can ease the pain and symptoms of a migraine headache. Other medications can help prevent the headaches. Talk to your doctor about which ones are right for you.
Drugs That Stop Migraine Headaches
You take these drugs at the first sign of a migraine attack to stop them. They are called "abortive" drugs. They prevent common symptoms like pain, nausea, and sound and light sensitivity. Some of these should not be used during a migraine with aura, so follow your doctor's instructions.
| Category | Generic Name | Brand Name | May be used during an aura? | Some Side Effects |
| Over-the-counter | ibuprofen | Advil, Motrin |
Stomach upset or bleeding, May raise risk of heart attack or stroke |
|
| aspirin + acetaminophen + caffeine | Excedrin Migraine, Excedrin, Goody's |
Heartburn
Anxiety Insomnia Allergic reaction Liver damage Blood in stool or vomit Dizziness Easy bruising |
||
| acetaminophen | Excedrin Tension Headache, Tylenol, Valorin |
Liver damage Allergic reactions Rashes |
||
| naproxen |
Aleve,
|
May raise risk of heart attack or stroke Stomach upset Stomach bleeding Nausea Vomiting Rash Liver damage |
||
| Ergot | dihydroergotamine | DHE-45 injection, Ergomar, Migranal, intranasal |
Yes | Nausea Numbness of fingers and toes |
| Triptans | sumatriptan succinate |
Imitrex injection, oral, intranasal Onzetra inhaled |
Not with hemiplegic migraine, migraine with brainstem aura, stroke, heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or pregnancy | Dizziness Tingling Flushing Feelings of chest heaviness, burning, or tightness Nausea |
| zolmitriptan | Zomig | Not with hemiplegic migraine, migraine with brainstem aura, stroke, heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or pregnancy | Dizziness Tingling Flushing Feelings of chest heaviness, burning, or tightness Nausea |
|
| rizatriptan | Maxalt | Not with hemiplegic migraine, migraine with brainstem aura, stroke, heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or pregnancy | Dizziness Tingling Flushing Feelings of chest heaviness, burning, or tightness Nausea |
|
| naratriptan | Amerge | Not with hemiplegic migraine, migraine with brainstem aura, stroke, heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or pregnancy | Dizziness Tingling Flushing Feelings of chest heaviness, burning, or tightness Nausea |
|
| almotriptan | Axert | Not with hemiplegic migraine, migraine with brainstem aura, stroke, heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or pregnancy | Tiredness Dizziness Headache Nausea Chest pain |
|
| frovatriptan | Frova | Not with hemiplegic migraine, migraine with brainstem aura, stroke, heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or pregnancy | Dizziness Flushing Palpitations Chest pain Headache Tingling Nausea |
|
| eletriptan | Relpax | Yes | Dizziness Tingling Flushing Feelings of chest heaviness, burning, or tightness Nausea Headache |
|
| Combination triptan + NSAID | sumatriptan + naproxen | Treximet | Not with hemiplegic migraine, migraine with brainstem aura, stroke, heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or pregnancy | Head, jaw, chest, and arm discomfort, tightening, or tingling Throat discomfort Muscle cramps Flushing Gastrointestinal upset or bleeding Nausea Vomiting Rash Liver damage |
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Drugs for Migraine Prevention
If you have four or more migraine days each month, you take these drugs regularly to keep migraines attacks from happening. They lessen the number and severity of your headaches.
You have to take them as prescribed for them to work. Your doctor may need to change the medications and adjust how much you take to figure out which drug or combination of drugs, and at which dosages, work best for you.
While you’re taking these drugs, write down how often you have headaches and how bad they are to help your doctor judge how well they are working. Most need days or weeks to take full effect.
Once your headaches are under control for 6 months or a year, it may be possible to taper off or stop these drugs. You may need to take the drugs for a longer time, though. Your doctor will advise you.
The medications listed include both over-the-counter and prescription drugs. These drugs aren't habit-forming, but any medication can cause unwanted side effects. Your doctor will adjust the dosage to give you the most relief with the fewest side effects.
| Category | Generic Name | Brand Name | Treatment Information | Possible Side Effects |
| Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories |
diclofenac,
|
generics available |
Headache pain relief, Menstrual migraine prevention |
May raise risk of heart attack or stroke, Gastrointestinal upset, Drowsiness, Dizziness, Vision problems, Ulcers |
| Ibuprofen | Advil, Motrin | Headache pain relief Menstrual migraine prevention |
May raise risk of heart attack or stroke Gastrointestinal upset or bleeding Nausea Vomiting Rash Liver damage |
|
| naproxen sodium |
Aleve, Naprosyn |
Headache pain relief Menstrual migraine prevention |
May raise risk of heart attack or stroke Gastrointestinal upset or bleeding Nausea Vomiting Rash Liver damage |
|
| Tricyclic antidepressants | amitriptyline |
generics available |
Often started at low dosages and slowly increased to a helpful level. EKG may be needed. Blood tests may be needed while taking this medication. Taken nightly. |
Fatigue
Dry mouth Weight gain Constipation Drowsiness Blurred vision Older adults also may feel confusion or faintness |
| SNRI antidepressants | Effexor, Cymbalta. generics available | Sleep problems Drowsiness Dizziness Vision changes Less sexual desire or ability Headaches |
||
| Beta-blockers |
atenolol
metoprolol nadolol propranolol timolol |
Atenolol (Tenomar) metoprolol (Lopressor, Troprol XL) nadolol (Corgard) propranolol (Inderal) |
Depending on the form, may be taken one to three times a day. | Fatigue Depression Weight gain Memory disturbance Faintness Diarrhea |
| Anticonvulsants | topiramate |
Qudexy XR Topamax Trokendi XR |
Often started at low dosages and slowly increased to a helpful level. | Tingling in the arms Nausea Drowsiness Weight loss |
| valproate | Depakene Depakote Stavzor |
Depends on the form. Usually once or twice a day. | Nausea Tiredness Tremor Dizziness Weight gain Hair loss Birth defects |
|
| CGRP inhibitors | Erenumab | Aimovig | Once a month, self-injections with a pen-like device to prevent Migraine headaches |
Mild pain and redness at the injection site are the most common side effects. |
| Botulinum Toxin Type A | onabotulinumtoxin A | Botox | Multiple injections are given about every 3 months to prevent chronic headache. | Headache Neck pain |
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Warning: You should not take triptans together with SSRI or SNRI antidepressants. You may get a life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome. Check all your medications with your doctor.