The Various Forms of Acute Migraine Therapy

By Dr. Seth Haplea Monday, March 12, 2007

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Regardless of the brand of triptan or route of administration, clinical trials have repeatedly shown that the speed and effectiveness of the triptan medications occur when these medications are administered during the earliest stages of a migraine. I emphasize with my patients that they should act to treat their migraines as soon as they develop the early features of their typical migraine attack.

To learn more about Triptans and other forms of Abortive medications, check out "Preventive, Abortive, and Rescue Medications - What's the Difference?"

Preventive Medication and the American Migraine Communications Study

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Comments (4) |

geekygranny

3/21/07 12:09am

What about someone who has high blood pressure. I know my hubby has migraines... it runs in the family... but he has high blood pressure. So what can he take for that? It's bad enough the HBP is causing lesions on his brain, but the pain is so bad he can't function.

What are his options???? The neuro who treats my migraines... just told him to take aspirin... in other words... didn't believe him.

Teri Robert, Health Guide

3/22/07 12:57pm

Mary,

Your hubby needs a new doctor who will listen and help rather than dismiss this disease. If blood pressure is controlled with medications, he may be able to try the triptans.

As for the lesions on his brain, one would wonder if they were caused by the HBP or Migraines.

Since your neuro did so little for him, maybe your family doctor could do better for him by managing his HBP and discussing trying one of the triptans. I know many Migraineurs with hypertension that's well controlled with meds and they use triptans. My doctor has me check my bp and if it's within a certain range, use a triptan.

Hope this helps!
Teri Robert

light39466

11/25/07 3:52pm

Dr. Haplea,

What is your opinion about Botox for migraine relief and/ or migraine sugery? I had Botox which was very helpful and then had migraine surgery on my scalp muscles and nasal passages. The surgery was very successful. I went from 18-23 migraines a month down to 2 or less per month.

Why do many neurologist doubt this type of treatment?

Philip A. Bain

1/11/08 11:52am

Hello,

I am an internist and devote ~ 1/2 of my practice to patients with headache. I offer a variety of IV treatments for acute care in order to help these patients stay out of the ER/UCC. I offer IV Toradol,IV Zofran, IV DHE, IV Magnesium,SQ Imitrex, IM Tigan/IV Benadryl, IV Decadron, IV Depacon,etc.

What other IV meds could safely be given in the outpt clinic setting without formal monitoring- I am not set up for telemetry or for > 2-3 hour stays? Thus, IV propofol, lidocaine, etc are out. Any other tricks? I also do GON blocks, Best Bite discluder form fitting, high flow O2.

any help/advice that you can provide would be most appreciated.

The Various Forms of Acute Migraine Therapy

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