Migraine headaches are among the symptoms of a condition called migraine. Some medications can ease the pain and symptoms of a migraine headache. Others 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. They’re 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 | Examples of Brand Names | 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 | Tylenol |
Liver damage Allergic reactions Rashes |
||
| naproxen |
Aleve,
|
Stomach upset Stomach bleeding Nausea Vomiting Rash Liver damage May raise risk of heart attack or stroke |
||
| Ergot | dihydroergotamine | DHE-45 injection, Ergomar, Migranal nasal spray |
Yes | Nausea Numbness of fingers and toes |
| Triptans | sumatriptan succinate |
Imitrex injection, oral, intranasal Onzetra inhaled, Tosymra nasal spray |
Not with hemiplegic migraine, migraine with brainstem aura, stroke, heart disease, or 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, or uncontrolled hypertension | Dizziness Tingling Flushing Feelings of chest heaviness, burning, or tightness Nausea |
|
| rizatriptan | Maxalt | Not with hemiplegic migraine, migraine with brainstem aura, stroke, heart disease, or uncontrolled hypertension | Dizziness Tingling Flushing Feelings of chest heaviness, burning, or tightness Nausea |
|
| naratriptan | Amerge | Not with hemiplegic migraine, migraine with brainstem aura, stroke, heart disease, or uncontrolled hypertension | Dizziness Tingling Flushing Feelings of chest heaviness, burning, or tightness Nausea |
|
| almotriptan | Axert | Not with hemiplegic migraine, migraine with brainstem aura, stroke, heart disease, or uncontrolled hypertension | Tiredness Dizziness Headache Nausea Chest pain |
|
| frovatriptan | Frova | Not with hemiplegic migraine, migraine with brainstem aura, stroke, heart disease, or uncontrolled hypertension | Dizziness Flushing Palpitations Chest pain Headache Tingling Nausea |
|
| eletriptan | Relpax | Not with hemiplegic migraine, migraine with brainstem aura, stroke, heart disease, or uncontrolled hypertension | 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, or uncontrolled hypertension | Head, jaw, chest, and arm discomfort, tightening, or tingling Throat discomfort Muscle cramps Flushing Stomach upset or bleeding Nausea Vomiting Rash Liver damage |
| Ditan |
Lasmidtan
|
Reyvow | yes |
Dizziness Sleepiness Numbness Feeling tired Tingling |
|
CGRP Antagonists |
Rimegepant | Nutrec |
yes
|
Nausea UTI Allergic reaction |
| Ubrogepant | Ubrelvy | yes |
Drowsiness Nausea Dry mouth |
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Nausea Drugs for Migraines
Many people who have migraines often have nausea and vomiting along with head pain. Those symptoms usually get better when you treat the migraine. But sometimes, the nausea and vomiting are bad enough to keep a person from taking their migraine medications. In these cases, a nausea drug can ease your symptoms so you can get the treatment you need.
Most nausea medicines come in pill form, but if the problem is severe, you can take them as a rectal suppository.
|
Generic Name |
Examples of Brand Names |
Possible Side Effects |
|
promethazine hydrochloride (tablet, syrup, injection, or suppository) |
Confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, upset stomach, excitability, nightmares, uncontrollable muscle movements, lip smacking or chewing movements |
|
|
chlorpromazine (suppository) |
Thorazine |
Confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, upset stomach, excitability, nightmares, uncontrollable muscle movements, lip smacking or chewing movements |
|
prochlorperazine (tablet and suppository) |
Confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, upset stomach, excitability, nightmares, uncontrollable muscle movements, lip smacking or chewing movements |
|
|
Trimetho-benzamide hydrochloride (capsule, injection, syrup, or suppository) |
Low blood pressure, blurred vision, drowsiness, dizziness, feeling disoriented, uncontrollable muscle movements, lip smacking or chewing movements |
|
|
metoclopramide hydrochloride (syrup, tablet, or injection) |
Uncontrollable muscle movements, lip smacking or chewing movements, sensitivity to sunlight, aching in the lower legs, diarrhea |
Drugs for Migraine Prevention
If you have 4 or more migraine days each month, you may take these drugs regularly to keep migraine attacks from happening. They lessen the number of headaches you have and how severe they are.
You have to follow your doctor’s directions for them to work. Your doctor may need to change the medications and adjust how much you take to figure out what works 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, you might be able to taper off or stop these drugs. Your doctor will advise you.
The medications listed include both over-the-counter and prescription drugs. They aren't habit-forming, but any medication can have side effects. Your doctor will adjust the dosage to give you the most relief with the fewest side effects.
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| Category | Generic Name | Examples of Brand Names | Treatment Information | Possible Side Effects |
| Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories |
diclofenac
|
generics available |
Headache pain relief, Menstrual migraine prevention |
Stomach upset |
| ibuprofen |
Advil |
Headache pain relief Menstrual migraine prevention |
Stomach upset or bleeding |
|
| naproxen sodium |
Aleve Naprosyn |
Headache pain relief Menstrual migraine prevention |
Stomach upset or bleeding |
|
| 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 |
generics available |
Sleep problems Drowsiness Dizziness Vision changes Less sexual desire or ability Headaches |
||
| Beta-blockers |
atenolol
metoprolol nadolol propranolol timolol |
Lopressor, Toprol XL |
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 |
eptinezumab |
Vypeti | Quarterly IV by health care provider |
Stuffy nose |
| Aimovig | Once a month, self-injections with a prefilled pen | Mild pain and redness at the injection site Constipation Allergic reactions |
||
| fremanezumab | Ajovy | Monthly or quarterly, self-injection with a prefilled syringe. Use with caution in people with heart or blood vessel disease. | Mild pain and redness at the injection site Allergic reactions |
|
| galcanezumab | Emgality | Monthly, self-injection with a prefilled pen or syringe. Use with caution in people with heart or blood vessel disease. | Mild pain and redness at the injection site Allergic reactions |
|
| 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 with SSRI or SNRI antidepressants. You may get a life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome. Check all your medications with your doctor.