Migraine medication
People who suffer from migraines understand the importance of migraine
medications. For many of these individuals the pain of a migraine is simply too
much to bear without some medical help. The list of possible medications
that can be useful for the relief of migraine pain is long but it is also
broad. This article will examine some of the more common medications and
explore their advantages and their disadvantages.
Migraine medication often begins with the over-the-counter analgesics. This category of medication includes such medications as aspirin and acetaminophen. It also includes a particular class of medications that are known as NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs). These include meds such as ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) and naproxen drugs such as Aleve.
It should be noted that many OTC drugs contain caffeine as an ingredient. Migraine sufferers should know that it has been reported that too much caffeine can be a trigger for starting a migraine. For this reason, it is important that migraine sufferers read the list of ingredients in all OTC pain medications before using them. Try to avoid using medications that contain caffeine.
These types of OTC drugs can be a good option for low to mid-level pain. When taken properly they are safe and effective up to a point. It should be remembered, however, that if they do not work, taking multiple doses of it will not help and may, in fact, endanger your health.
One of the most popular classes of drugs used in the treatment of migraines is the ergot drugs. Ergot drugs will interact with the receptors for the brain chemical serotonin. Serotonin regulates the awareness of pain, overall mood, and blood vessel size. In addition these drugs can decrease the amount of inflammation on the vessels causing them to become smaller or constrict. This action can help to reduce the throbbing pain associated with migraine. The down side to this is that these drugs cannot be used in people who have high blood pressure problems, heart disease, or what is known as peripheral vascular disease.
Ergotamine tartrate is a type of ergot drug and it is available in different brand names and various formulations. Ergomar is an example. This is a tablet that dissolves under the tongue thus allowing for faster results. Another example is Bellergal-S which combines ergotamine with belladonna as well as Phenobarbital.
Another possible option is Dihydroergotamine or DHE. DHE is associated to ergotamine but DHE is safer to use because it has a less powerful effect on blood vessel constriction. This medication can enter the bloodstream rapidly and that makes it a good option for those who have fast onset of painful migraine symptoms.
Another type of medication is the triptan drugs. These drugs work in a similar fashion as the ergot drugs but the side effects are usually less severe. Triptans must only be used with caution, or not at all, in people who have hypertension, cardiac disease, or peripheral vascular disease. Triptans are often a good option for people who need to stay alert during their medication as they do not, usually, sedate the person.
There is another type of medication that is often referred to as "combination" analgesics. These types of medications will contain acetaminophen or aspirin in combination with some form of barbiturate or other narcotic drug. As you might imagine, this type of medication can be potentially habit-forming and for this reason they are prescribed with care and caution. As noted above, many of the other drugs cannot be used in people with hypertension or heart disease, for these people combination analgesics are often the only option they have.
Migraine sufferers should understand that it can sometimes be impossible to find a medication that works on the pain of the migraine that does not have some type of side effect as well. The majority of side effects associated with migraine medication are nausea and vomiting related. Another side effect many of these migraine medications carry is sedation to some degree.
The best way to get the most effective medication that suits your needs and your life is to have a frank conversation with your doctor. There are some migraine sufferers who simply cannot be sedated during the medication phase. Tell this to your physician and he or she may be able to prescribe a medication that will not sedate you. Likewise, inform your doctor if you cannot keep the medication down because of vomiting side effects. There are other drugs that may be less stressful on your stomach.
Finding the best medication for your migraines requires working with your doctor and following his or her advice. This can be particularly important if your migraines seem to follow a pattern. Migraines that are associated with menstrual cycles can often be prevented if the proper regime is followed. Cluster headaches can also often be prevented if the physician is aware of the patterns that take place with the problem. Whenever possible, give your doctor as much information as possible about your headache. This will assist in narrowing down the possible causes of the migraine as well as assist in getting the right medications.