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Migraine Medicine Side Effects

Migraine medicines are prescription and non-prescription medications aimed at the treatment of the unpleasant symptoms of a migraine headache. Migraine medicines can be used to relieve and eliminate the symptoms of the migraine headache or to prevent the symptoms from occurring.

  1. Migraine Symptoms

    • Many who suffer migraines experience related symptoms before a migraine headache actually begins. Such symptoms include nausea, dizziness, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, throbbing in a small area of the head, and a symptom that many describe as a numb feeling around the sinuses that causes vision disturbances and blurriness. Some sufferers will not experience any warning signs, but will immediately begin to experience all the painful symptoms of a migraine headache at once.

    Migraine Medications

    • There are numerous prescription medications for migraine headaches and several non-prescription medications. Tylenol, Excedrin, and Advil offer their own brand name over the counter migraine medications aimed at providing relief for the present migraine headache symptoms. There are prescription strength dosages of acetaminophen, caffeine, and ibuprofens for use in the treatment of migraines as well. Prescription medications for migraine headaches include such brand name medications as Imitrex, Treximet, Topamax, Maxalt, and Relpax among others.

    Prescription Migraine Medicine Side Effects

    • Nausea, upset stomach, and stomach ulcers are common side effects of prescription migraine medicines. Other side effects of prescription migraine medicines that should be immediately reported to a health care provider includes: tingling or numbness in the face, dizziness and trouble walking, extreme exhaustion, irregular or fast heart rate, heaviness or pressure in the chest, and seizures, among other adverse reactions. These side effects are common for all prescription migraine medications.

    Non-Prescription Migraine Medicine Side Effects

    • Common side effects of non-prescription migraine medicines that do not need to be reported unless they persist or become worse are continuation of the headache, nausea, vomiting, troubling urinating, diarrhea, and trouble sleeping. Side effects of non-prescription migraine medicines that should be reported to a physician as soon as possible include breathing problems, pain or trouble swallowing, fatigue, fever, skin rashes, discoloration of the eyes, and sore throat.

    Considerations

    • Both prescription and non-prescription migraine medications have the potential for adverse reactions if used in conjunction with certain other medications. Consulting with a doctor about your current medications and possible interactions with migraine medications beforehand can help you to find faster relief when a migraine headache begins.

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