Migraine medications such as sumatriptan, ibuprofen, prednisone or propranolol can be used to treat or prevent migraine attacks as they act by blocking pain or reducing the dilation of blood vessels.
Furthermore, migraine treatment must be gradual and include other techniques such as meditation or cognitive behavioral therapy, for example, as this makes it possible to avoid excessive use of medication and prevent the appearance of new attacks. See the main ways to treat migraines.
Migraine medications should be recommended by a neurologist after evaluating the symptoms and identifying the type of migraine, and thus recommending the best medication on an individual basis.
13 migraine remedies
The main migraine remedies that may be recommended by your doctor are:
1. Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug indicated to treat acute migraine attacks, as it reduces the production of inflammatory substances in the body, relieving intense headaches.
This remedy is generally the first treatment option for migraines, with a dose of 1 tablet of 400 mg, every 6 to 8 hours, or 1 tablet of 600 mg, 2 to 3 times a day, for adults. Learn how to take ibuprofen correctly.
Other anti-inflammatories that may be recommended by your doctor are diclofenac potassium or acetylsalicylic acid, for example.
Make an appointment with a neurologist in the nearest region:
2. Paracetamol
Paracetamol is an analgesic that can be indicated for the treatment of acute migraine attacks in people who cannot tolerate or have contraindications to the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
The normally recommended doses of paracetamol for adults are 1 tablet of 1000 mg (1g) 3 to 4 times a day. The maximum dose per day should not exceed 4000 mg, which corresponds to 4 tablets of 1000 mg. See how to use paracetamol.
3. Sumatriptano
Sumatriptan, or sumatriptan succinate, is a medicine from the triptan class indicated for the treatment of acute migraine attacks, with or without aura, being more effective when used in the first symptoms of the migraine attack.
Generally, this remedy is indicated as a second treatment option for migraines, when the person has three attacks in a row that do not improve with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or analgesics.
Sumatriptan acts on the brain, causing a narrowing of cerebral blood vessels and blocking pain, being found in the form of 25, 50 and 100 mg tablets, with the trade names Sumax, Sutriptan or Imigran, for example.
Other drugs in the triptan class that may be recommended by your doctor are naratriptan (Naramig), zolmitriptan (Zomig) or rizatriptan (Maxalt), for example.
These remedies should only be used by adults with medical advice, and are contraindicated during pregnancy, or for people who have high blood pressure or cerebrovascular, coronary or peripheral blood vessel disease.
4. Ubrogepant
Ubrogepant, as well as rimegepant, are approved in some countries, such as the United States, as a third treatment option for acute migraine attacks, when the use of triptans has not been effective in relieving symptoms in at least three migraine attacks. consecutive.
These medicines are not yet available in Brazil, as they await approval from Anvisa.
5. Mesilato de dihydroergotamine
Dihydroergotamine mesylate is a migraine medicine from the ergotamine class, indicated for the treatment of acute migraine attacks.
These medications are usually found in association with other substances, such as caffeine, dipyrone or paracetamol, to enhance their effect in relieving symptoms, and may also have metoclopramide hydrochloride in their composition, to alleviate nausea and vomiting caused by migraines.
Dihydroergotamine mesylate in association with other substances can be found under the trade names Cefalium, Cefaliv, Migraliv or Enxaq, for example, and should be used under medical advice.
6. Metoclopramide
Metoclopramide is an antiemetic indicated to relieve nausea and vomiting caused by acute migraine attacks, and can be used together with other medications to relieve migraine attacks.
This medicine works by increasing contractions of the muscles in the digestive tract, accelerating gastric and intestinal emptying, helping to relieve nausea and vomiting, and its onset of action is around 30 to 60 minutes after taking it orally. Find out how to take metoclopramide.
Another antiemetic that may be recommended by your doctor to relieve nausea and vomiting is chlorpromazine.
7. Prednisone
Prednisone, as well as betamethasone, are corticosteroids that can be recommended by the doctor for the treatment of acute and severe migraine attacks, quickly relieving the headache, although this indication is not included in the leaflets of these medications.
These corticosteroids may also be indicated for the treatment of migraines triggered by excessive use of headache medications.
Generally, treatment with these medications is for a short period of time, due to the increased risk of side effects when used long term. Check out the main side effects of corticosteroids.
In more serious cases of migraine attacks, the doctor may also recommend the use of methylprednisolone in a vein or muscle application, carried out by a nurse at the hospital.
8. Propranolol
Propranolol is a beta-adrenergic blocker indicated as the first treatment option to prevent migraine attacks.
This is because this medicine helps to open the veins and arteries, improving blood flow to the brain, which can help prevent acute attacks.
Other beta blockers that may be recommended by your doctor are metoprolol, atenolol or bisoprolol, for example.
9. Topiramate
Topiramate is an anticonvulsant medicine indicated to prevent migraine attacks in adults.
This medicine can be found in pharmacies or drugstores in the form of tablets with the trade names Topamax, Amato, Égide, Vidmax or Têmpera, for example. Find out how to take topiramate.
Another anticonvulsant that may be recommended by your doctor is valproic acid, usually as a second treatment option.
10. Amitriptyline
Amitriptyline is an antidepressant that can also be used to prevent migraine attacks in adults.
This medicine can be found in the form of tablets or capsules for oral use, under the trade names Tryptanol, Amytril, Neo Amitriptyline or Neurotrypt. See how to take amitriptyline for migraines.
11. Flunarizina
Flunarizine is a calcium channel antagonist indicated to prevent migraine attacks, as it prevents the narrowing of cerebral blood vessels, facilitating the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain, preventing new migraine attacks.
This medicine is found in the form of tablets or oral solution, with the names Vertix, Vertigium or Vertizan, for example, and must be used under medical advice.
12. Erenumabe
Erenumab is a monoclonal antibody, in the form of an injection to be applied under the skin, indicated to prevent migraine attacks, in the case of people who have at least 4 days of migraine per month.
This medicine is found under the trade name Pasurta, and doses for adults range from 70 mg to 140 mg, administered once a month.
Other monoclonal antibodies that may be recommended by the doctor are fremanezumab (Ajovy) or galcanezumab (Emgality), for example.
13. Botulinum toxin A
The use of botulinum toxin type A may be recommended by the doctor to prevent migraine attacks in adults.
Botulinum toxin is applied locally by the doctor by injection around the skull in a single dose, which can reduce the frequency and severity of attacks and the use of prophylactic medications. Check out other treatments recommended for migraines.
Possible side effects
The most common side effects of migraine medications are nausea, dizziness, muscle weakness, changes in the sensitivity of fingers and toes, stomach ulcers, increased blood pressure, palpitations or paleness, for example.
However, these side effects vary from person to person and according to the type of medication prescribed by the doctor.
If the person experiences some of these side effects, the doctor may evaluate the possibility of changing the dose or recommending another medication.
Who shouldn’t take
Most medications recommended for migraines may not be recommended for pregnant women and breastfeeding women.
Furthermore, some medications should be used with caution by people with high blood pressure, heart problems, cerebral ischemia, diabetes, high cholesterol or obesity.
Therefore, it is important to always consult a neurologist, who should recommend the best migraine medication on an individual basis.
