Migraine is a serious neurological condition which affects a lot of people in the country. It is characterized by an unbearable, escalating, and debilitating headache. Some people describe it as an intense pulsating and throbbing pain in one isolated area of the head. The pain is accompanied by vomiting, nausea, and sensitivity to sound and light. Migraine medication falls into two categories:
- Medicines which stop the migraine from spreading once it begins.
- Medicines which prevent the occurrence of migraine
Pain relievers
Many people opt for medicines which provide relief from the searing pain caused by migraines.
- Aspirin
- Naproxen
- Ibuprofen
- Paracetamol
People should be wary of the side effects caused by analgesics and NSAIDs as regular consumption of these medicines can make the headaches worse.
Further, these medicines don’t address the reason or cause of the migraine — the dilation of blood vessels in the brain. Only two classes of migraine medicines do so – ergotamines and triptans.
Ergotamines
Ergotamine tartrate and dihydroergotamine mesylate are some potent medicines which constrict or block blood vessels. Nausea is a common side effect of these medicines, and so some people consume ergotamines with anti-nausea medications.
Triptans
It targets the serotonin receptors. These medicines work by constricting blood vessels and cause a general interruption in the chemical events which lead to a migraine. Some examples of triptans are almotriptan, eletriptan, and frovatriptan.
Triptans differ depending on their ability to prevent the recurrence of headaches, but they are more migraine-specific than ergotamines. They are also quite effective when it comes to providing relief from the pain caused by this condition.
Preventive therapy
It is a viable method for patients who suffer from frequent migraines.
A lot of medications are used for preventing migraines, but only some are recommended by the American Headache Society and the American Academy of Neurology (AAN):
ACE inhibitors
- Lisinopril
- Angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARBS)
- Candesartan
Beta-blockers
- Atenolol
- Nadolol
Calcium channel blockers
- Diltiazem
- Nimodipine
Antiseizure medications
- Topiramate
- Gabapentin
Herbals
- Feverfew
- Butterbur
Side effects of migraine medications
- Triptans can cause tingling, flushing, sleepiness, and tightness in the chest and throat.
- Beta-blockers can cause depression, fatigue, nausea, insomnia, dizziness, and low blood pressure.
- Calcium channel blockers can bring about constipation, dizziness, weight gain, and low blood pressure.
- The side effects of anti-seizure medications depend on the type of medicine consumed.
- The side effects of herbals are burping and gastrointestinal issues.
Safety precautions and warnings to follow
Don’t combine triptan medications which come with selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine, sibutramine, and venlafaxine with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, olanzapine/fluoxetine, paroxetine, and sertraline as there can be an overload of serotonin in the body. This can result in a rapid increase in blood pressure, higher body temperature, and rapid heart rate.
Ergot alkaloids shouldn’t be consumed with medications that inhibit liver enzymes as doing so can result in a decrease of blood flow to the brain and extremities, and this can be life-threatening.
So, before consuming any medication for migraine, it is always advisable to consult a doctor.
