Drugs Used to Treat Migraine Headaches

Butorphanol nasal spray (Stanol)

Opioid agonist/antagonist Used to treat pain, migraines.

Dihydroergotamine mesylate (Migranal)

Ergot alkaloid Used to prevent or abort migraine attack.

Topiramate (Topamax)

Anticonvulsant Treats and prevents seizures and migraine headaches.

Gabapentin (Neurontin)

Anticonvulsant Treats certain type of seizures. Also treats restless leg syndrome and pain caused by shingles. Also used for migraine headaches.

Valproic acid (Depakote)

Anticonvulsant Treats seizures. Also treats mood disorders and helps prevent migraine headaches.

Atenolol (Tenormin)

Beta-adrenergic blocker This medicine is a beta blocker that treats high BP and chest pain. Used to treat migraine headaches. It may also lower risk of repeated heart attacks.

Propanolol (Inderal)

Beta-adrenergic blocker Treats high BP, angina, irregular heartbeat, migraine headaches, tremors, and lowers risk of repeated heart attack.

Sumatriptan (Imitrex)

Triptan 5-HT1 receptor agonist: antimigraine Used to treat migraine and cluster headaches. MOA: Causes vasoconstriction of cranial arteries to relieve migraine attacks. Contraindications: hypersensitivity, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus, smoking, hepatic disease, cerebrovascular disease, older adults Caution: Renal dysfunction, seizures. SE: Dizziness, fainting, tingling, numbness, warm sensation, drowsiness, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, diarrhea, ab cramping AE: hypotension, hypertension, heart block, angina, dysrhythmias, thromboemolism, seizures, CNS hemorrhage, stroke. Coronary artery vasospasm, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest

Almotriptan (Axert)

Triptan. For acute migraines.

Eletriptan (Relpax)

Triptan. For acute migraines.

Frovatriptan (Forva)

Triptan. For acute migraines.

Zolmitriptan (Zomig)

Triptan. For acute migraines. 65% of pts respond in 2 hrs. Avoid if pt has uncontrolled hypertension.

Rizatriptan (Maxalt)

Triptan. For acute migraines. Has two types of tablets: regular and melt in mouth. Avoid if pt has uncontrolled hypertension.

Naratriptan (Amerge)

Triptan. For acute migraines. Has a longer 1/2 life, thus duration of action is longer. Causes vasoconstriction of cranial arteries. Avoid if pt has uncontrolled hypertension.

Imipramine (Tofranil)

Trycyclic antidepressant Treats depression. May also be used to prevent bedwetting in children. Treats migraine headaches.

Amitryptylline (Elavil)

Trycylcic antidepressant Used to treat depression, migraine headaches.