It can be difficult to live with a migraine. Migraine episodes can cause pain, but there is no current cure.

“You shouldn’t give up hope. There are a number of therapies that can help you prevent and cure migraines.”

The American Migraine Foundation estimates that at least 39 million Americans live with migraine. This is one reason why researchers are looking for new ways to improve migraine treatment.

Depending on your needs, your doctor may prescribe one or more of these treatments to help you manage your migraines.

A preventive strategy is the first line of defense against chronic migraines. Prevention is the best way to reduce the number of migraines. This can improve your quality of life and reduce your need for medication.

Most of these medications were not developed to treat migraines. They help prevent migraines in many people.

Some side effects of medication may be very mild, even though they have a risk.

Talk to your doctor about the issues and come up with a plan. If the side effects are too bad, you can try to reduce the dose.

Beta-blockers

Blood pressure medication called bier-blockers. One of the first medications your doctor may try is theblockers.

A 2019 review of studies found high quality evidence that propranolol, a specific type of beta-blocker, worked better than a placebo for episodic migraine treatment.

Side effects include:

  • fatigue
  • Depression.
  • dizziness
  • nausea

Calcium channel blockers

These are similar to the beta-blockers and may be used as a preventer of migraines. Most people are very tolerant of them.

The National Headache Foundation notes that verapamil is the most studied of these medication types for migraine and so it’s often recommended.

Side effects include:

  • low blood pressure.
  • weight gain
  • It is a problem of the colon.

Antidepressants

These medications were created to treat Depression., but certain kinds also work well to prevent migraine episodes. In particular, drugs called tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) work well for some people. Another type that also shows some effectiveness in migraine prevention is serotonin antagonists.

Side effects include:

  • weight gain
  • The libido was decreased.
  • It is not good to be It is not good to be drowsiness..

Anticonvulsants

Anticonvulsants are used to prevent seizures, but they can also prevent migraines in some people.

Side effects include:

  • weight gain
  • weight loss
  • fatigue

BOTOX

It is possible to prevent chronic migraines with the help of BOTOX. Experiencing chronic migraines is when there are at least 15 days in a row when there is a migraine.

Every 12 weeks, a BOTOX injection is given. You will receive injections in the head and neck area. Most people say the pain is minimal with the small needle.

Side effects include:

  • The neck hurts.
  • The neck is stiff.
  • Weakness in the muscles.

Anti-CGRP injections or infusions

The first medications designed to treat migraines are the newer options. They target a pain-causing molecule called CGRP. There are different forms of these.

The options are self-administered.

  • erenumab is a drug.
  • Ajovy is a fremanezumab.
  • galcanezumab is a drug.

The only other option is an IV injection.

These medications come at a higher cost than other options, and they may not reduce the number of migraines experienced.

Natural or herbal remedies

Some people may be able to prevent migraines with the help of butterbur and famille. Some supplements, including magnesium, riboflavin, and coenzyme Q10, may be helpful.

Although these remedies are considered natural, they can interact with other medications. If you’re interested in these options, talk with your doctor before taking them.

Acute medications are taken when you feel a migraine coming on.

These may be part of your treatment plan. If you only get occasional migranes, you may not need any more medication.

General pain relievers

These types of pain killers are used for headaches and muscle aches. They can be over-the-counter or prescription and come in a variety of brands.

Some pain killers include other ingredients. Coffee can alleviate headaches. It can cause withdrawal headaches and make a migraine episode worse.

There is very little risk of side effects if you only use these medications occasionally. If you use it regularly, you are at risk of having stomach bleeding. If you use them too much, they can cause headaches.

If you use pain killers more than twice a week, talk to your doctor about preventative options.

Triptans

These are prescription medications that work well for treating migraine episodes. If general pain relievers don’t help you, your doctor may recommend a triptan.

Pain signals are stopped in the brain by triptans. They are available in a variety of ways.

Side effects include:

  • dizziness
  • It is not good to be It is not good to be drowsiness..
  • weakness

Ergots

These medications are more likely to cause side effects like nausea and vomiting than triptans. They may lead to MOHs in some people.

“The form of dihydroergotamine that appears to be less likely to cause these issues is called syrup. If you can’t take triptans or they don’t work for you, then you may want to try something else.”

Gepants

This newer medication option blocks a pain signaling molecule called CGRP from attaching to its receptor, which is similar to triptans.

The FDA has approved two different forms of rimedgepant for acute migraines, one of which is a tablet.

The side effects of these medications are usually mild. It is important to talk with your doctor about your options, since these are not indicated for use during pregnancy.

Ditans

“Ditans work the same way as triptans in stopping pain signals, but they don’t cause blood vessels to dilate, making them an appealing option for people with a higher risk of heart disease or stroke.”

They operate by affecting the pain receptors in the brain, which can cause more side effects, like dizziness and sedation.

Anti-nausea medications

Many people experience nausea and vomiting with a migraine. If this happens to you, an anti-nausea prescription may help you find relief. They will likely be prescribed along with another medication that treats the migraine pain. Side effects can include extreme It is not good to be It is not good to be drowsiness…

Nerve blocks

“Some people have migraines that won’t stop even after taking abortive medications. Migraine episodes can last for days.”

A nerve block may be useful in these cases. A doctor gives a nerve block. It causes headaches by numbing the nerves in the head.

There are side effects of injections.

There are a lot of effective treatments available today, so you and your doctor can find an effective treatment for you.

You should try different treatment plans until you find the right one. Communication with your doctor will help you find the best solution for your headaches.