Treatment of Migraines

It only takes one episode of migraine for sufferers to start seeking a cure. Unfortunately, regular painkillers are seldom helpful in combatting a full blown migraine. Some people do find them sufficient in migraine prevention. If taken as the very early symptoms begin to emerge, ordinairy painkillers may make the difference between a minor headache and a migraine.

Before we go into the various medications available, it should be noted that prevention is often half the cure. By getting to know the triggers of migraines, many migraineurs can avoid at least some episodes of migraines.

Read our article about Triggers of Migraines to try and identify your triggers. Some of them can be controlled. Often, simple changes to your diet can help prevent migraines. Avoiding red wines (which contain tanins), cheese and chocolate seems to help some people.

Granted, not all triggers of migraine can be controlled. If dry weather triggers your migraine, moving to a different climate zone may not always be an option... And in some cases, the migraines just can't be controlled. Fortunately, modern medicine offers us a range of migraine medications. Anti-Migraine Drugs

Generally speaking, Treatment of Migraines targets these two areas:

Abortive drugs
Preventive drugs

The well-known drug, sumatriptan (Imitrex®/Imigran®), was introduced in 1985. Until that time only regular analgesics and caffeine were available for migraine sufferes to provide some relief and they were not always effective. More powerful drugs, such as narcotic painkillers and even thorazine and compazine (usually used to treat psychotic episodes!) were sometimes offered, but their debilitating side effects were too high a price for most migraine sufferers.

Imitrex (sumitriptan) and the related drugs, affecting serotonin receptors in the brain, are now available and are the therapy of choice for severe migraine that is relatively infrequent. They are highly effective and have few side effects when used occasionally. Ergotamine tablets, usually with caffeine, are sometimes used. Dihydroergotamine (DHE), which must be injected or inhaled, is also effective. These drugs can be used either as preventive or abortive therapy.

Some of the drugs used today, which effect the brain's serotonin receptors, are:

sumatriptan (Imitrex®, Imigran®)
zolmitriptan (Zomig®)
naratriptan (Amerge®)
rizatriptan (Maxalt®)
eletriptan (Relpax®)
frovatriptan (Frova®)

It is not very clear how these drugs actually cure migraines. However, some evidence points to the fact that these drugs constrict blood vessels in the brain. They do this by acting at serotonin receptors on nerve endings, decreasing the release of a peptide known as CGRP. CGRP is believed to be the main culprit in causing migraine pain, as it dialates cerebral blood vessels.

For migraineurs who suffer frequent, intractable and severe migraine symptoms, preventive medications may be used. Various such medications are available today. Among them are drugs called beta blockers, such as propranolol and atenolol. In some cases antidepressants such as amitriptyline can help.

Please know, that your doctor can and should help you fight migraines! You don't have to live with the pain! Get diagnosed and seek medical help from an expert that can find the right drug treatment for your migraine.