What Is the Best Remedy for a Migraine?

There are many remedies for migraine disease, a condition that includes--but is not limited to--the painful headaches commonly referred to as "migraines." Remedies can include any number of medications or natural, holistic healing methods.

Considerations

• There are three treatment methods used to remedy the discomfort of migraines: acute--calls for the use of drugs after onset of migraine attack; preventive--requires use of drugs taken daily to decrease the number of or prevent attacks; complementary--utilizes drug-free methods that provide relief, and include alternative health procedures like biofeedback, acupuncture, relaxation and dietary changes.

Identification

• There are more than 100 drugs on the market designed to provide a remedy for migraines. The best medications for relief are triptans, which come under various brand names: Amerge, Axert, Frova, Imitrex, Maxalt, Pelpax and Zomig. Studies have shown that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen also are helpful for migraine treatment.

Types

• Drugs containing opioids and barbiturates have been shown to cause an increase in migraine attacks, rather than provide long-term remedy. Such drugs include cCodeine, Oxycontin, Darvon, Vicodin, Fiorinal and Fioricet.

Benefits

• Sufferers who prefer the benefits of a natural migraine remedy opt for use of herbs such as feverfew, butterbur extract and ginger.

Effects

• More negative side effects result from use of opioid and barbiturate-based drugs for migraine relief. Less severe side effects result from use of triptans, and very few negative effects stem from applying natural, alternative treatment methods.

Warning

• Regular use of migraine-related drugs, for weeks or months at a time, will do more harm than good. Overuse can increase the number and severity of migraine attacks.