What is the best migraine medication you have tried, and why is it the best?
I’ve had migraines off and on for years, due to a car accident. The last 2 years, the migraines have cropped up more often and my doctor will prescribe a migraine med for me to have on hand. The problem is, she says that they are all very similar.
So, the question for yahoo users is, in your personal migraine experiences, what prescription migraine medication worked best, and were there side effects, etc?
Thanks!
Best answer:
Some commonly prescribed migraine medications include:
- Triptans: Triptans are a class of medications specifically designed to relieve migraine symptoms. They work by narrowing blood vessels in the brain and blocking pain pathways. Examples include sumatriptan (Imitrex), rizatriptan (Maxalt), and eletriptan (Relpax).
- Ergotamines: Ergotamine medications, such as ergotamine tartrate and dihydroergotamine (DHE), are older medications that can be effective for treating migraines, particularly when taken early in the attack. They work by constricting blood vessels in the brain.
- Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) Inhibitors: CGRP inhibitors are a newer class of medications that target the CGRP molecule, which is involved in migraine attacks. These drugs include erenumab (Aimovig), fremanezumab (Ajovy), and galcanezumab (Emgality).
- Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and aspirin can be effective for mild to moderate migraines, especially when taken early in the attack.
- Acetaminophen: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be used alone or in combination with other medications for mild migraines.
- Preventive Medications: In addition to acute treatments for migraine attacks, some individuals may benefit from preventive medications to reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. These may include beta-blockers, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, or CGRP inhibitors.
- Anti-nausea Medications: Medications such as metoclopramide or prochlorperazine may be prescribed to help relieve nausea and vomiting associated with migraines.
Answer by IndyMom
I have had migraines for 30 years. None are the best. The question is in finding the best one for you. You are the only one who can determine that. Ask the Doc. to prescribe the migraine abortive medications one at a time until you find the one that works best for you.
I personally use Imitrex. I have also tried Maxalt, Zomig and all of the others that I don’t remember the names of. Imitrex has been the best for me.
The key with any of these is to take them immediately, as soon as you realize that the pain is coming or expect that it is heading to migraine level. If you wait until you have a full blown migraine, no medication will work.
Keep a daily headache diary when you try the new meds. At the end of a few days, or weeks depending on how often you get them, you will have the details for the Doctor. Help them to help you.
Best of luck.
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