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What Do Doctors Prescribe for Migraines?

Migraines affect more than 28 million Americans with three times more women being affected than men. Doctors often recommend managing migraines with lifestyle changes, and using both conventional treatment, and complementary and alternative treatment.

  1. Definition

    • The University of Maryland Medical Center describes migraines as common headaches that can occur with vomiting, nausea and sensitivity to light. Many people feel the pain only on one side of the head.

    Pain Relieving Medications

    • Pain relieving medications are recommended once pain has started. They include NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), or aspirin, and triptans (Imitrex), rizatriptan (Maxalt) and naratriptan (Amerge).

    Preventive Medications

    • Preventive medications are prescribed to reduce or prevent migraines. They include beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, high blood pressure drugs such as Isinopril, as well as antihistamines, anti-seizure drugs, antidepressants and Botox.

    Complementary and Alternative Treatment

    • Complementary and alternative treatments include the use of herbs, vitamins and minerals such as feverfew, butterbur, vitamin B-2 and magnesium supplements. Other treatments include acupuncture, massage and biofeedback.

    Warning

    • The Mayo Clinic reports that some people have used the amino acid supplement 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) to relieve pain. As a supplement that affects brain chemicals there is the risk of adverse effects; before using 5-HTP more extensive study is needed.

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