Migraine Preventative-Maintenance Medications

One out of 11 people in the United States experience migraines, according to the National Institutes of Health. Migraine suffers who have four or more headaches a month may be able to take daily medications, sometimes referred to as maintenance medicines, to prevent migraine attacks.

Anti-depressants and SSRIs

• Anti-depressants, such as amitriptyline, and newer depression medicines known as serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as venlafaxine, are believed to prevent swelling of the blood vessels and reduce migraines. These drugs also affect serotonin levels, and some researchers think serotonin plays a role in some migraines.

Blood-Pressure Medicines

• Blood-pressure medications that are categorized as either beta blockers or calcium channel blockers are used to prevent migraines. These medicines also seem to play a role in preventing blood vessels in the brain from swelling and constricting. Beta blockers used for migraines include propanolol, and calcium channel blockers used include verapamil.

Anti-seizure Medications

• Anti-seizure medications are believed to "quiet" the "excitable" migraine brain. One theory of migraine causes suggests that migraine brains are hypersensitive to certain stimuli, known as triggers, and anti-seizure meds reduce this sensitivity. This category includes medications such as valproic acid and topiramate.