There is a wide variety of migraine medications to choose from. What works for migraine relief and what are the main differences between them? Let this article guide you through the maze of migraine medications like painkillers and abortive and make it easy to understand, so you can get to the bottom of your migraine!
This article will address some common medications used to stop your migraines or headaches after it begins. These migraine medications are classified as acute medications or abortive. And include painkillers for headaches, special ones for migraine and others for various forms of headaches.
Designer migraine medications are called Triptans. The most common types are Zomig, Amerge, Maxalt, Frova and Imitrex. These are migraine specific medications which specifically target serotonin receptors. They will help inflammation and constrict the blood vessels that are active during a migraine attack.
A miracle drug for some, Triptans do certainly work wonders. They are very effective at relieving pain but they also help other migraine problems like nausea and drowsiness. These types of Migraine medications can be utilized with a pill, nasal spray or injection.
Painkillers used for headaches are also a type of migraine medication. Common brands are Aspirin, Advil, Motrin and Naproxen. Often referred to as NSAID which means nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The aim of these drugs is to reduce inflammation and increase pain thresholds so migraines do not bother you so much.
As with all migraine medications make sure you consult your medical doctor before doing anything. This is very crucial with NSAIDs as you should only consume one type at a time and they also have side effects like rebound headaches. These are the result of the body getting use to the medication and a withdrawal effect that can happen. If you are pregnant then you cannot take them as they increase incidence of miscarriage. Stomach side effects can also be caused.
The heavy hitters of migraine medications are called narcotics. These go under the names of Demerol, codeine, Dolophine and Stadol. Usually administered through injection, but can also be given with pills and nasal sprays.
These strong drugs are given to battle bad pain. They are strictly for use under medical supervision and with caution. These are highly addictive substances and the body will require higher and higher dose for effect as it becomes used to it. This can lead to dangerous effects. They are best utilized by individuals with infrequent migraines or whose migraines are so bad they end up in hospital.
Make sure you talk with your medical doctor about your migraine medications. The above paragraphs discuss abortive therapies, which work once a migraine has begun. But maybe prevention rather than cure would be a better approach? Be sure to investigate how you can prevent a migraine and this may help with decreasing intensity and frequency of attacks.
Want to learn more about the most best migraine medications? Go to author Peter Alexis website which is packed full of information like what is the most powerful headache pain relief.