Migraine Prevention MedicationMigraine Prevention MedicineMigraine Prevention Medication...
Migraines affect over 28 million American adults, and its effects are so disabling that the World Health Organization has named it 'one of the most disabling chronic health conditions'.
For many, the frequency and severity of symptoms can be controlled by changes of lifestyle, diet and environmental factors.
Others whose migraine attacks are infrequent find that one of the many medications used to treat migraines after they start (referred to as 'rescue medications') provide enough relief.
Approximately 25% of migraine sufferers, or migraineurs, require more aggressive treatment. For them, treatment with migraine prevention medication may offer their best option for control of migraines.
When Migraine Prevention Medicine Is An Option
Because of the possibility of side effects and the cost of prophylactic treatments, migraine prevention medication is not prescribed for just anyone. Medical experts recommend treatment with migraine prevention medicine for people who:
Classes of Migraine Prevention Medication
Since migraines have such a wide variety of causes, the types of migraine prevention medicine used is traditionally very broad.
A medication that prevents migraines in one person may actually worsen symptoms in another. It's important to consult a doctor and follow his advice carefully when using any type of migraine prevention medication, including those that are available over the counter.
Many of the medications used to treat migraines prophylactically can cause other side effects, so it's important to be aware of them and discontinue treatment in the cases where the side effects are severe.
Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs
(NSAIDs) are often the first presecribed migraine prevention medicine. Many are available over the counter, and patients are already familiar with them and their side effects. The NSAIDs prescribed as migraine prevention medication are: Naproxen (Aleve) Meclofenamate (Meclofen) Flurbiprofen (Ansaid, Froben) Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
Treatment using an NSAID as migraine medication can be with a small daily dosage. It's also an ideal candidate for treatment of predictable migraine patterns such as menstrual migraines, since NSAIDs can be taken for 24-48 hours before the expected onset of the migraine, but not the rest of the month.
While no one is quite sure why beta blockers work as migraine medication, they are one of the most commonly prescribed and most effective classes of migraine prevention medicine. Clinical trials have shown a 60% - 80% effectiveness rate in reducing migraine attacks by 50%. Propranolol (Inderal) Atenolol (Tenormen) Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol-XL) Timolol A migraine prevention treatment plan with beta blockers generally calls for low dosages taken several times a day. Discontinuing treatment should only be done under a doctor's care, as there may be adverse effects on the heart and breathing.
Anticonvulsants are sometimes prescribed as migraine prevention medication. Originally developed to control seizures, it's speculated that medications like Depakote and Topamax also work to reduce migraines because the source of seizures and the source of migraines are related.
Depakote and Topamax are the only anti-epileptic medications that are specifically approved by the FDA as migraine prevention medication. The anticonvulsants most often prescribed for treatment of migraine are: Divalproex sodium (Depakote) Phenytoin (Dilantin) Carbamazepine (Tegretol) Topiramate (Topamax)
The treatment plan with anti-convulsants as migraine prevention medicine generally starts with low daily dosages that gradually increase to reduce the incidence and severity of side effects.
It may take 6-12 months for there to be a noticeable improvement in migraine frequency. Once started, patient should not stop taking any of the anti-epilipectic migraine prevention medicine without consulting a doctor.
Several Calcium Channel Blockers are sometimes prescribed as migraine prevention medication, though their use for that purpose is not approved by the FDA. Clinical trials with verapamil, however, have shown its effectiveness in treating some classes of migraine, particularly 'classic migraines', those that are preceded by an aura.
Verapamil (Calan, Isoptin) Diltiazem (Tiazac) When calcium channel blockers are used as migraine prevention medication, the prescribed dosages are low, and should be taken daily. The side effects include drowsiness, constipation, difficulty breathing, and in rare cases, heart arrhythmia.
Calcium channel blockers should not be used as migraine prevention medicine in patients with pre-existing heart conditions, pregnant or breastfeeding women and older adults.
Two classes of drugs used to treat depression have also been shown to be effective as migraine prevention medication. Tricyclic antidepressants and MAOI's (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors) may work by reducing pain and tension in users. Tricyclic Antidepressants Amitriptyline (Elavil) Nortriptyline (Pamelor, Aventil) Doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan) MAOIs Phenelzine (Nardil)
Treatment plans using antidepressants as migraine prevention medication combine low doses and careful monitoring because of associated side effects.
Since levels of serotonin have been implicated in frequent migraine sufferers, both serotonin antagonists and selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors are sometimes presecribed as migraine prevention medication. Both work in different ways to increase the levels of serotonin in the brain, which is thought to prevent migraines by allowing the body to better manage and control pain. The following serotonin based medications are sometimes prescribed as migraine prevention medicine.
Serotonin Antagonists Methysergide (Sansert) Cyproheptadine (Periactin) Selective Serotonin-reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) Fluoxetine (Prozac) sertraline (Zoloft) paroxetine (Paxil) fluvoxamine (Luvox). 'Designer' Antidepressants Nefazodone (Serzone) venlafaxine (Effexor)
Like most other medications used as migraine prevention medicine, there are associated side effects and contraindications. The antidepressant migraine prevention medication, however, seem to be particularly effective in reducing migraines associated with tension headaches. See your doctor before discontinuing migraine prevention medication with antidepressants, as the bounce-back effects can be quite severe.
If you have chronic, severe headaches that have not responded to other types of migraine management, you should speak to your doctor about the possibility of a regimen with migraine prevention medication. Featured Natural AlternativeOne product that contains some key natural nutrients that may benefit those with headaches and migraines is Xtend-Life's Neuro Formula.
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