Migraine Treatment Directory

Combinations of medications and treatments for severe migraine attacks are informally referred to as a “migraine cocktail.” Treatment can occur at an urgent care, in an outpatient infusion center, in an emergency department, or when someone is admitted to hospital for treatment of migraine. The exact combination could be different for every patient, but the treatment often includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ketorolac. A person may also receive magnesium, certain medications to reduce nausea or vomiting, diphenhydramine (Benadryl®), dihydroergotamine (DHE), steroids, and/or IV fluids.

5-HTP is a nonessential amino acid that contributes to increased production of serotonin, melatonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and beta-endorphins, which all play a role in sleep, mood and pain regulation. People with migraine may have low serotonin levels. 5-HTP is directly converted to serotonin in nerve cells and the liver before it can reach the brain. Several publications have raised concern of a significant risk of heart valve disease from high levels of serotonin in the blood because of its direct effect on the heart. The supplement 5-HTP is made from a natural plant source (Griffonia simplicifolia).

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of mindfulness-based therapy theorizing that greater well-being can be attained by accepting the difficulties that come with life, and by overcoming negative thoughts and feelings. There is growing evidence for the use of ACT for migraine.

Acetaminophen is also known as paracetamol depending on where you live. A pain reliever and fever reducer, the exact mechanism of action of acetaminophen is unclear. Many common pain conditions including headache, muscle aches, arthritis, backache, colds, and fevers are treated with acetaminophen. It relieves pain in mild arthritis but does not affect the underlying inflammation and swelling of the joint.

Acetaminophen/paracetamol with codeine is an opioid and analgesic/antipyretic combination. It works in the brain and nervous system to decrease mild to moderately severe pain.

Percocet is used to relieve moderate-to-severe pain. It contains a combination of oxycodone (an opioid pain medication that works in the brain to change how your body feels and responds to pain) and acetaminophen (a less powerful pain reliever that increases the effects of oxycodone).

Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer. Butalbital is a barbiturate, known to relax muscle contractions involved in a tension headache. Caffeine is a stimulant that can relax muscle contractions in blood vessels to improve blood flow. The combination is used to treat tension headaches caused by muscle contractions. Butalbital has a high risk of causing medication overuse headache and making migraine attacks less responsive to treatment. Butalbital is not available in some countries and restricted in others due to its dangerous side effects.

Acetaminophen, dichloralphenazone, and isometheptene is a combination analgesic, sedative, and sympathomimetic. It works by decreasing pain, providing sedation, and narrowing the blood vessels in the head and brain. It is used to treat migraine and certain other types of headaches (tension, neurovascular), among other conditions.

Acetazolamide medications are used to treat glaucoma, epilepsy, altitude sickness, periodic paralysis, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, and heart failure. It is sometimes used to treat high-pressure headaches by lowering the production of cerebrospinal fluid. Acetazolamide is not well studied as a preventive treatment for migraine in general, and there is no solid evidence for its effectiveness outside the context of familial hemiplegic migraine.

Regular low-dose aspirin, or "baby" aspirin, may be one of the most effective ways to help prevent migraine with aura. When tested against topiramate, a common migraine preventive, Italian researchers found that low doses of aspirin daily may be up to six times more effective than topiramate. Up to 1,000 mg of aspirin may also be used in the acute treatment of migraine.

Aspirin/ASA is an NSAID that works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain, fever, and inflammation. It is used to treat pain and reduce fever or inflammation. Sometimes aspirin is used to treat or prevent heart attacks, strokes, and chest pain (angina) but it should be used for cardiovascular conditions only under the supervision of a doctor. Some aspirin combination drugs, like Excedrin, also contain acetaminophen and caffeine. Check the label to be sure. Overuse of combination treatments containing caffeine may lead to medication overuse headache.

A Traditional Chinese Medicine technique that involves the insertion of very fine, solid needles into certain pressure points of the body. It is believed that acupuncture activates pathways in the brain that are responsible for turning off pain.

Acupressure bracelets are bands that apply pressure on the meridian point on the inside of the wrist; this meridian point is said to be associated with nausea and motion sickness. Some studies suggest there is a therapeutic benefit to magnets in alleviating pain or other health concerns. Common types include magnetic bands and Sea-Bands.

A Traditional Chinese Medicine technique that involves the insertion of very fine, solid needles into certain pressure points of the body. It is believed that acupuncture activates pathways in the brain that are responsible for turning off pain.

Acyclovir is an antiviral drug that is used to treat infections caused by certain types of viruses. It treats shingles caused by herpes zoster and outbreaks of herpes simplex. In people with frequent outbreaks of genital herpes, acyclovir is used to help reduce the number of future episodes. Acyclovir can also be useful in the treatment of fibromyalgia and allodynia, often in conjunction with other medications.

Advocacy is the public support of a particular cause. An example of advocacy would be supporting greater funding of migraine research, which would benefit the migraine community as a whole.

Agomelatine is primarily used to treat depression. It acts on brain receptors for melatonin, a hormone that is important for regulating sleep, as well as serotonin receptors. It is the only antidepressant that acts on melatonin receptors.

Air filters are used to reduce the pollen, smoke, pet dander, bacteria, dust, and more from a building. For people with migraine who have allergies, respiratory illnesses, or are triggered by things like pollen or smoke, a clean high-functioning air filter is a simple way to improve air quality and reduce environmental triggers. HEPA filters are the most effective type of filter, eliminating 99.97% of airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns or greater.

The Alexander Technique is a system designed to retrain poor posture to ensure minimum effort and strain on the body. This can help prevent headaches that result from poor posture.

Allergen immunotherapy—or allergy shots—are treatments to stop or reduce allergy symptoms. Each allergy shot contains a tiny amount of the substances that trigger allergic reactions (i.e., allergens). Over time, the immune system gets used to the allergens and learns not to react to them. This may be beneficial for migraine if allergies are a trigger.