According to estimates, 18% of women suffer from migraine headaches and 6% of men. However, fewer than half of migraine sufferers use preventive treatments to reduce their headache frequency.
Preventive therapy
It is also known as migraine prophylaxis, can reduce headache frequency by at least 50% and decrease their severity. * Have at least two migraines per month. * Experience unusual migraines such as prolonged auras, weakness, paralysis, or complete loss in blood flow to migraine-prone areas. It is important to know that only a few medications have medical evidence that can be used for preventive migraine treatment.
The American Academy of Neurology is a professional organization of thousands of headache experts in the United States. It issues clinical guidelines that rate treatments according to the strength of medical evidence. Medical evidence is based on rigorous studies that have been conducted with large numbers of people. It’s the only way we can be certain about the effectiveness of a medication in preventing migraines.
Did you know?
The American Academy of Neurology recommends four types of medications for first-line prevention of migraine treatment. Beta-blockers are the most well-known class of prescription drugs for migraine prevention. These drugs were originally prescribed to treat high blood pressure.
However, they have been extensively researched and proven to be effective in preventing migraines. Propranolol is a well-respected and safe medication that has been used for high blood pressure treatment for many decades. Side effects with either beta-blocker are rare and can include fatigue and tiredness during exercise. Other drugs that are used to lower blood pressure, such as calcium-channel blockers or nitrates, don’t prevent migraines.
Take into account
Another class of medications-tricyclic antidepressants-is used to prevent migraines. Amitryptyline (Elavil) is the only medication recommended by the American Academy of Neurologists as first-line treatment. While the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved the use of amitryptyline (Elavil) in migraine headaches, it is approved by several European countries. Amitryptyline is well-known for its use in treating depression. Side effects include dry mouth, weight gain, and sleepiness.
Many doctors and patients believe that other antidepressants such as Cymbalta (Cymbalta), Zoloft (Sertraline) and trazodone(Desyrel) are effective in migraine prevention. No studies have been done to confirm this belief, so they aren’t recommended as a first-line treatment. Many medications that are used for seizures prevention are first-line treatments to prevent migraines. Valproic acid, which is similar to amitryptiline, has been used in the treatment of depression for many years.
Final note
However, it is not approved by FDA for migraine prevention. Side effects of anticonvulsants include fatigue, nausea and tingling sensations. Weight gain is also a common side effect. Anticonvulsants may cause birth defects. They should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used to prevent migraines. Extended use of NSAIDs can cause gastrointestinal distress and kidney damage.
They are not recommended for long-term migraine prevention. Aspirin does not prevent migraines. * Be educated. Be aware of which medications work and which don’t. Find out why your doctor recommends a medication not to be used first. * Be patient. It might take several weeks before you notice a difference in your headaches. * Be consistent. Effective migraine prevention is not dependent on medication. Keep your medication on schedule. If you miss a dose, talk to your doctor.