Pain killers
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like aspirin, paracetamol, ibuprofen, and diclofenac, can control mild to moderate symptoms. These medications take some time to enter the blood and start to work; thus, their best use is at the first of the attack as possible. They are present in many forms, tablets, effervescent, suppositories, and injections. Avoid prolonged use of these medications because they may worsen the migraine (medications overuse headache). Also, these medications have many side effects in prolonged use, such as peptic ulcers, bronchospasm, Rey’s syndrome (in children), and liver and kidney problems.
If you need these medications frequently, or if they become ineffective, you should talk to your doctor to stop them, replace them with other more potent painkillers, or add other medications to them.
Triptans (Sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, almotriptan, rizatriptan)
These medications are effective against moderate to severe migraine and mild migraine that doesn’t respond to the OTC drugs. They act on the blood vessels of the brain and pain pathways to reserve the changes of migraine. They are present in the form of tablets, injections, nasal sprays, and shots. They aren’t safe for patients with heart diseases or strokes.
- Ergotamines, such as Cafergot, are old migraine medications that are as effective as triptans, but they have many side effects and are unsafe for patients with heart diseases. They may be the best option for severe cases that last for more than one day.
- Lasmidtnanis a new oral drug for migraine that relieves pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound.
- Other drugs, such as Ubrogepant and opioids, may help if the other medications failed to control the pain.
- Anti-nausea and Anti-vomiting medications help if there are nausea and vomiting with the migraine.