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Drugs to Prevent Migraines

Although the cause of migraines remains a medical mystery, many who suffer from migraines have been helped by taking daily preventative medication. These medications are not painkillers and cannot be taken when an attack hits. These medications often can decrease the number of migraines, but that's not always the case.

  1. Types

    • According to MAGNUM, the National Migraine Association, the types of preventative medications (prophylactics) for migraines include: blood pressure medications like calcium channel blockers or beta blockers, antidepressants, anti-convulsant medications such as Depakote (divaproex sodium) or Topamax (topimirate) and in rare cases, methysergide. The Mayo Clinic adds that children with migraines may be given the antihistamine cyprophetadine.

    Time Frame

    • Preventative drugs for migraines are taken every day. Depending on the drug, this may be from one to four times a day. There are some slow-release forms of some drugs such as calcium channel blockers that may be taken once. Usually, a patient starts off taking a small amount so the body can get used to the medication, and then it is gradually increased.

    Trial Period

    • It can take up to three months to determine whether the medication is doing any good. The patient should contact his doctor if he experiences constant diarrhea, vomiting, rashes, suicidal thoughts or trouble breathing.

    Misconception

    • Preventative drugs for migraines will not stop the pain of a migraine attack, so they should not be taken for pain. The patients must give his doctor a list of all medications he is currently taking. He also must tell his doctor if alcohol or recreational drugs are used for pain. This information is part of the doctor-patient confidentiality agreement.

    Controversy

    • Although the Mayo Clinic lists botulimum toxin A (Botox) as one type of prophylactic migraine medications, many doctors and neurologists do not believe that Botox can help and may hurt by causing brain damage. However, the makers of Botox are funding clinical studies to test its effectiveness on migraines.

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