Especially for the treatment of migraine has developed a range of drugs. Moreover, some drugs commonly used to treat other disorders can also help to alleviate or prevent migraine

Medications used to treat migraines fall into two broad categories:

• Analgesics - used during migraine attacks, to relieve their symptoms.
• Preventive medications. Drugs of this type must be taken regularly, sometimes - daily, reduce the severity and frequency of migraine attacks.

Selection strategy depends on the treatment of migraine frequency and severity of attacks it, how strong suffering causes headache, as well as presence of other diseases in the patient.

Drugs to relieve migraine attacks

For best results, you must take the first dose of painkillers at the first symptoms of a migraine.

• Painkillers. Drugs such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help with mild migraines. Medications designed specifically to alleviate the symptoms of migraine, such as the combination of acetaminophen, aspirin and caffeine help with mild migraine pain I have a migraine. What to do? But not effective when severe migraines. With frequent use for a long time, these medications can lead to ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding and recurrent headaches. Prescription painkillers, such as indomethacin, may quickly enough to stop the pain. If the migraine is accompanied by nausea, it is recommended to take indomethacin in the form of suppositories.
• Triptans. Medicines of this group effectively relieve pain, nausea and sensitivity to light and sound, characteristic of migraine. By triptans include sumatriptan (Imitrex), rizatriptan (Maxalt), almotriptan (Axert), naratriptan, zolmitriptan, frovatriptan, eletriptan (Relpax). Side effects of triptans include nausea, dizziness and muscle weakness. They are not recommended for people with an increased risk of stroke Stroke - a serious brain injury   and heart attack. One-time intake of sumatriptan and naproxen sodium relieves the symptoms of migraine more effective than either drug alone.
• Ergot. Drugs, which include ergotamine (a derivative of ergot alkaloids) and caffeine (for example, Migergot, Cafergot) are much less expensive, but also less effective than triptans. They are most effective for patients who have migraine attack lasts more than forty-eight hours. Dihydroergotamine - more effective than ergotamine, ergot derivative; It has fewer side effects. It is available as tablets and as a nasal spray, and in the form of a solution for injection.
• Anti-nausea drugs. Because migraine often accompanied by nausea and vomiting, and sometimes in the treatment of drugs can be used to facilitate such symptoms. In particular, migraine can be assigned to such drugs as setoklopramid (Reglan) or prochlorperazine (Compro).
• Opiates. Formulations containing drugs, especially codeine, used for treating migraine attacks in those cases where the patient can not take triptans or ergot derivatives. Opiates can quickly addictive; usually they are used only as a last resort.
• Dexamethasone. Following corticosteroid can be used in combination with other medications to relieve pain. Because of the risk of steroid toxicity Dexamethasone Dexamethasone - one of the most effective glucocorticosteroids   It should not be used often. Because of the risk of steroid toxicity of this drug is rarely used.

Means for prevention of migraines

Prophylactic treatment of migraine may be assigned to those who might be two or more severe attack of the disease in a month, and if the migraine is accompanied by prolonged numbness and muscle weakness.

Prevention can reduce seizure frequency or increase the effectiveness of drugs used to treat the symptoms.

• The preparations for the cardiovascular system. Beta-blockers, which usually takes at hypertension and coronary artery disease, can reduce the frequency of migraine attacks and make them more intense. In particular, propranolol successfully used in the prevention of migraine. Calcium channel blockers, particularly verapamil, also help prevent migraine attacks and facilitate its symptoms. Antihypertensive medications lisinopril is also a means for the prevention of migraine. Side effects of these drugs can be dizziness Dizziness - if the ground is slipping from under his feet , Drowsiness and nausea.
• Antidepressants. Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline, prescribed for migraine prophylaxis. They ease headaches, affecting the levels of serotonin and other brain chemicals.
• Antispasmodic drugs. Some drugs of this class, e.g., valproate, topiramate, gabapentin and reduce the frequency of migraine attacks. However, when taken in large doses, these drugs can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, dizziness and loss of hair.

Migraine - a strong, frequently recurring headache that may be accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light. In many patients pain is felt only on one side of the head.

Drug treatment of migraine allows ease pain and other symptoms of migraine and / or prevent further attacks. There are two basic approaches to the treatment of migraine: treatment and prevention of attacks.

Treatment of seizures

The purpose of this treatment - the termination of a migraine attack soon after it starts. Drugs for migraine treatment is available in tablets and solutions for injection and nasal spray. The latter are particularly useful for people who have migraine accompanied by nausea and vomiting. One of the most common anti-migraine drugs are treptany that target serotonin. They are used exclusively for the treatment of headaches and help with back pain, abdominal pain, and so on.

For the treatment of migraine attacks used:

• Almotriptan (Axert)
• Eletriptan (Relpax)
• Flovatriptan (Frova)
• Natatriptan (Amerge, Naramig)
• Rizatriptan (Maxalt)
• Simatriptan (Imitrex, Treximet)
• Zolmitriptan (Zomig)
• In addition, migraine is sometimes treated with the following medications:
• Acetaminophen-isometheptene-dikloralfnazol
• Dihydroergotamine (injection and nasal drops)
• Ergotamine tartrate (Cafergot)
• Some non-prescription drugs, which include acetaminophen, ibuprofen Ibuprofen: anti-inflammatory drug Aspirin and / or caffeine.

To eliminate symptoms such as vomiting and nausea may be used: metoclopramide (Reglan), prochlorperazine (Compazine), promethazine (Phenergan). Sometimes the treatment of stroke using drugs for the treatment of headaches, particularly but not - migraine. These tools include analgesics (including drugs), and barbiturates. They should be used as an adjunct to primary therapy or as a fallback in case if the main drugs fail.

Prevention

This kind of treatment is used if the migraine attacks are repeated often - usually more than once a week and / or if the pain of migraine is very strong. The purpose of preventive treatment - to reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine. To this end, the following medicines:

• Medications used to treat high blood pressure: beta-blockers (propranolol, timolol), calcium channel blockers (verapamil).
• Antidepressants (amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Pamelor)
• Anticonvulsant medications: gabapentin (Neurontin), topiramate (Topamax), valproic acid (Depakote).

Ice

Wrap ice cubes in a towel or a bag of frozen vegetables and attach it to his head or neck. For some patients, it helps quickly; some do not have any effect.

Magnesium

Since magnesium has the property to dilate blood vessels, it can be used for the treatment and prophylaxis of migraine.

Water

If the cause of migraine headaches is dehydration, excessive drinking can reduce the frequency of attacks.

Peppermint

There is no scientific evidence that peppermint helps to fight migraines I have a migraine. What to do? . However, people for centuries used mint tea and essential oil Essential oils and conception: can help the roses?   mint Mint and its useful properties: aromatic freshness   as a treatment for severe headaches - and argue that it is very effective.

Products containing niacin

It is believed that niacin or Vitamin B3 can relieve symptoms of migraine. This vitamin is contained in large amounts in the grain, liver, yeast, fish and nuts.

Salt

The use of salt in amounts considered effective for migraine. Presumably it exerts therapeutic effects of sodium, but how this happens is not clear.

Head massage

Massage the scalp, especially the base of the skull and temples is an effective remedy for migraine.