What are some meds to prevent migraines?

Answer 1

When you begin to have migraine headaches twice or more a month, it is important to seek the help of a neurologist or headache specialist in developing a preventative regimen. This is because the more you let these headaches occur, the more likely it is that they will become even more frequent.

Here are some of the more common preventative medications prescribed:

Tricyclic Antidepressants:

Nortriptyline

Amitriptyline

Beta Blockers:

Propranolol

Atenolol

Calcium-Channel Blockers:

Verapamil

ACE Inhibitors:

Lisinopril

Anti-Seizure Medications:

Depakote

Topamax

Zonegran

Lamictal

Keppra

Neurontin (commonly prescribed for those in chronic pain as well, because it works with GABA neurotransmission and increases your normal threshold for pain)

Lyrica (like Neurontin, it works with GABA neurotransmission)

SSRIs:

Prozac

Doxepin

Celexa

Lexapro

SNRIs:

Cymbalta

Effexor

Other:

Wellbutrin

Some people have found that intranasal lidocaine, when used daily - may help prevent, as well as abort migraines.

New:

Namenda, a prescription for Alzheimers, has been shown possibly be the first preventative to work with the spreading cortical depression which is the cause of the migraine. The majority of other medications work directly with the blood vessels, work with serotonin, or work to keep the nerves in line so they don't misfire. If we can prevent the entire process of migraine - from beginning to end, we may have the best shot of truly preventing them.

Things to be aware of when starting a preventative treatment program.

# It takes at least three months before you know if a medication will work as a preventative for you or not. Many of these medications need time to get proper plasma levels, as well as getting to a dose that will work for you. It takes a lot of patience, but having your life back is well worth it.

# Sometimes a person needs more than one preventative medication. Headache specialists are often pairing together medications from the different categories.

# It is important to continue keeping a headache diary when you begin a treatment regimen. Your headache diary should include the length of the migraine, and your pain level on a range from 1-10. This is because some medications not only reduce the number of migraines you will have in a month, but reduce their length and intensity. If you look back your diary, you may see that the medication is beginning to help you, even if you are not having less incidences of headache.

Answer 2

There are many kinds of treatments, some are medicine based and some treatments are devices that help you prevent migraines from happening. Auracol is an example of device, it is proven and safe

Answer 3

Migraine is a genetic neurologic disease. There are three types of medicines for Migraine attacks (which do not have to have a pain component at all).

1. Abortives - stop the Migraine process
2. Rescues - stop the pain
3. Preventives - prevent attacks

There is no single *best* medication for Migraine. Each person is different, and what works for one patient will not work for another. Often it is found that a combination of medicines and approaches is best for a patient. For best results in diagnosis and treatment of Migraine and other headache disorders, seek the help of a board certified headache and Migraine specialist.

Answer 4

Which medicines are suitable for the treatment of Migraine will vary depending upon the Migraineur's personal medical history, other medications/vitamins/supplements he/she may be taking, and other factors. These choices include preventive medicines which may be used off label or as approved; abortive medicines that target Migraine more specifically; rescue medications which may be taken to lessen the pain of a Migraine attack in progress.

Answer 5

There are typically two types of migraine treatments offered: abortive and preventative. Abortive treatments are aimed at stopping the migraine once it has started. These treatments include medicines with triptans in them, which target serotonin. Midrin is a popular example. Preventative treatments are for frequent or severe migraines. These medicine may be taken on a daily basis. These medicines can include high blood pressure medication, antidepressants, anti-seizure medications, and even some vitamins such as COQ10.

Answer 6

Topamax and Neurotin are two of the most common medications used to prevent migraine headaches.

Answer 7

Antimigraine drugs are believed to work by correcting the imbalances and by tightening the blood vessels.

Answer 8

Antimigraine medications are drugs that are given to lower the risk of a severe migraine attack or to reduce the severity of the headache once an attack begins.