Migraine-specific medications usually are necessary for moderate-to-severe migraine headaches. The medications for moderate or severe migraine headaches are different than over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics. Instead of relieving pain, they stop headaches by counteracting the cause of the headache, dilation of the temporal arteries. In fact, they cause narrowing of the arteries. Examples of migraine-specific medications are the triptans and ergot preparations.

Triptans

The triptans attach to serotonin receptors on the blood vessels and nerves, thereby reducing inflammation and constricting the blood vessels. This stops the headache. The triptan with the longest history of use is sumatriptan (Imitrex). Sumatriptan is available in the U.S. as an injection, oral tablet, and nasal spray. Zolmitriptan (Zomig) and rizatriptan (Maxalt) are newer triptans that are available as oral tablets and as tablets that melt in the mouth. Naratriptan (Amerge), almotriptan (Axert) and frovatriptan (Frovalan) are available only as oral tablets.

Traditionally, triptans were prescribed for moderate or severe migraines after OTC analgesics and other simple measures failed. Newer studies suggest that triptans can be used as the first treatment for patients with migraines that are causing disability. (Significant disability is defined as more than 10 days of at least 50% disability during a three-month period). Triptans should be used early after the migraine begins, before the onset of pain, or when the pain is mild. Using a triptan early in an attack increases its effectiveness, reduces side effects, and decreases the chance of recurrence of another headache during the following 24 hours. Used early, triptans can be expected to abort more than 80% of migraine headaches within two hours.

Ergots

Ergots, like triptans, are medications that abort migraine headaches. Examples of ergots include ergotamine preparations (Ergomar, Wigraine, and Cafergot) and dihydroergotamine preparations (Migranal, DHE-45). Ergots, like triptans, cause constriction of blood vessels, but ergots tend to cause more constriction of vessels in the heart and other parts of the body than the triptans, and their effects on the heart are more prolonged than the triptans. Therefore, they are not as safe as the triptans. The ergots also are more prone to cause nausea and vomiting than the triptans. The ergots can cause prolonged contraction of the uterus and miscarriages in pregnant women.

Midrin

Midrin is used to abort migraine and tension headaches. It is a combination of isometheptene (a blood vessel constrictor), acetaminophen (a pain reliever), and dichloralphenazone (a mild sedative). It is most effective if used early during a headache; however, because of its potent blood vessel constricting effect, it should not be used in patients with high blood pressure, kidney disease, glaucoma, atherosclerosis, liver disease, or who are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

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