Migraines can be debilitating and affect a person’s quality of life. Several different types of migraine treatments can help reduce their frequency and severity.
Preventive treatment can include dietary changes, lifestyle habits and daily medications such as blood pressure drugs, antidepressants, anti-seizure medicines and calcitonin gene-related peptides.
Acute Treatment
Acute migraine treatment aims to relieve headache pain and related symptoms quickly. It should also provide adequate relief to allow patients to resume normal activities.
Various acute treatments are effective, including triptans, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and acetaminophen. However, the strength of the evidence supporting the use of other nonpharmacologic therapies, such as opioids and barbiturates, remains uncertain.
5-HT 1B/1D receptor agonists, commonly known as triptans, are considered first-line treatment for migraine. In addition to being effective on their own, they may be combined with other drugs that affect the brain’s neurotransmitter systems or with NSAIDs.
Preventive Treatment
Preventive migraine treatment Jacksonville FL aims to reduce the number and severity of migraine attacks. It is often used to treat patients with frequent headaches but doesn’t respond to other treatments.
Drugs are a significant part of migraine preventive treatment, with various choices available. They are chosen based on their effectiveness, adverse event profile, patient preference and comorbidity or coexistent illness.
Medications effective in treating migraine include certain beta-blockers, divalproex sodium, and topiramate. The American Academy of Neurology and the Canadian Headache Society have issued guidelines for using these drugs in preventive treatment.
A calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist called rimegepant is also used for migraine prevention. A randomized trial involving 80 patients found it was highly effective, with a 50% responder rate and a shallow occurrence of side effects.
Injectable Treatment
Several injectable medications treat migraine, including preventive options like CGRP inhibitors and Botox. These treatments can be administered monthly or every few months and are effective for chronic migraines.
One preventive injection type is fremanezumab, which is sold under (Fremanzumab-from). A humanized monoclonal antibody binds to calcitonin gene-related peptide ligand and blocks its binding activity.
Another medication to prevent migraine is called erenumab, sold under the trade name Aimovig (Erenumab-aooe). It is also a monoclonal antibody that binds calcitonin gene-related ligands and blocks its binding activity.
Acute treatment options include triptans and dihydroergotamine. These drugs are prescribed for acute pain and come in pill, nasal spray and injection forms. They work quickly and are safe for most people. However, they can cause nausea and vomiting if used in high doses or with other drugs. They are not recommended for people with high blood pressure, heart disease or kidney or liver problems.
Other Treatments
A wide variety of medications can be used to treat migraine. The best choice for you depends on your symptoms and other medical conditions.
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and aspirin (Advil, Motrin IB), are often recommended to control the pain of migraine headaches. However, they aren’t always enough to ultimately reduce the number of headaches.
The strength of the pain-relieving medication you also take matters. For example, if you’re taking Advil or Aleve, it may be time to talk to your doctor about an upgrade to something more substantial.
Other treatment options include meditation, yoga and biofeedback. These treatments can help relax muscles and decrease stress, known triggers of migraines. Research shows that people who practice these therapies regularly have fewer migraines and less severe attacks than those who don’t.
