Drugs to Treat Migraine Headaches

Drugs for Migraine Prevention

Category	Generic Name	Brand Name	Treatment Information	Possible Side Effects
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories	diclofenac	Cataflam	Headache pain relief, Menstrual migraine prevention	May raise risk of heart attack or stroke, Gastrointestinal upset, Drowsiness, Dizziness, Vision problems, Ulcers
	naproxen sodium	Aleve, Anaprox	Headache pain relief, Menstrual migraine prevention	May raise risk of heart attack or stroke, Gastrointestinal upset or bleeding, Nausea, Vomiting, Rash, Liver damage
Tricyclic antidepressants	amitriptyline	Elavil	Frequently started at low dosages and slowly increased to a therapeutic level. EKG may be needed. Blood tests may be needed while taking this medication. Taken nightly.	Fatigue, Dry mouth, Weight gain, Constipation, Drowsiness, Blurred vision, Older adults also may feel confusion or faintness.
SNRI antidepressants	venlafaxine	Effexor		Sleep problems, Drowsiness, Dizziness, Vision changes, Less sexual desire or ability, Headaches
Beta-blockers	propranolol, metoprolol, timolol, nadolol, atenolol		Depending on the form, may be taken one to three times a day.	Fatigue, Depression, Weight gain, Memory disturbance, Faintness, Diarrhea
Calcium channel blockers	verapamil, nifedipine		Depends on the form. Frequently started at low dosages and slowly increased to a therapeutic level. Taken twice a day. Usually the first dose is taken in the morning.	Constipation, Dizziness, Swelling, Fatigue
Anticonvulsants	topiramate	Topamax, Qudexy XR, Topiragen	Frequently started at low dosages and slowly increased to a therapeutic level.	Tingling in the arms, Nausea, Drowsiness, Weight loss
	valproate	Depacon, Depakote, Depaken, Stavzor	Depends on the form. Usually once or twice a day.	Nausea Tiredness, Tremor, Dizziness, Weight gain, Hair loss, Birth defects
Botulinum Toxin Type A	onabotulinumtoxin A	Botox	Multiple injections are given about every 3 months to prevent chronic headache.	Headache, Neck pain

Warning: the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a public health advisory about potential risks of taking triptans together with SSRI and SNRI antidepressants: "A life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome may occur when triptans are used together with a SSRI or a SNRI."