Abortive Medications
Abortive medications actually work in the brain to stop the Migrainous process. They work to reverse the dilation of blood vessels and inflammation of the surrounding nerves and tissue. When effective, abortives stop the Migraine attack and the associated symptoms. Migraineurs may still experience the Migraine postdrome, that phase that some people call a "Migraine hang-over." Migraine abortives include:
- Triptans: Imitrex, Maxalt, Zomig, Amerge, Axert, Relpax, and Frova
- Ergotamines such as Migranal nasal spray and DHE-45 (injectable)
- Isometheptene compounds such as Midrin.
In a few cases, triptans are used for Migraine prevention. Amerge and Frova have been studied and proven effective for the prevention of menstrually triggered Migraines when taken twice a day for five to seven days beginning two days before the onset of the menstrual period.
On April 15, 2008, a new variation on a triptan was introduced, Treximet. Treximet combines sumatriptan (Imitrex) and naproxen sodium, an NSAID. The purpose for this combination is for the sumatriptan to target the nerves and blood vessels involved in a Migraine while the naproxen sodium targets inflammation.
Rescue Medications
Rescue medications are those taken if abortives fail or if you can't take the abortive medications. Most rescue medications are pain medications. Other types of medications are also used to help get through a Migraine by reducing nausea and helping Migraineurs relax. They don't have the ability to abort a Migraine, but will hopefully mask the pain for a few hours while the Migraine runs its course. Medications used for rescue include:
- Butalbital compounds: Fiorinal, Fioricet, etc. (with or without codeine)
- Acetaminophen with codeine, oxycodone, or hydrocodone such as Vicodin, Percocet, Tylenol #3
- Other analgesics (pain relievers) such as Ultram, Toradol, and others
- In some cases, doctors will prescribe injectable medications such as Demerol to be used at home in emergencies.
- Antinausea medications such as Compazine, Phenergan, Reglan
-
Muscle relaxants such as Soma, Skelaxin, Zanaflex
