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Medications for Migraine Prevention (Migraine Prophylaxis)

Measures taken to prevent migraine headaches, a type of headache that some people get repeatedly over time.

Drugs used for Migraine Prevention

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

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Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
topiramate 5.8 672 reviews for topiramate to treat Migraine Prevention
Rx D N X
Generic name:
topiramate systemic
Brand names:
Topamax, Qudexy XR, Eprontia, Trokendi XR
Drug class:
carbonic anhydrase inhibitor anticonvulsants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Topamax 6.0 385 reviews for Topamax to treat Migraine Prevention
Rx D N X
Generic name:
topiramate systemic
Drug class:
carbonic anhydrase inhibitor anticonvulsants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
propranolol 7.4 219 reviews for propranolol to treat Migraine Prevention
Rx C N X
Generic name:
propranolol systemic
Brand name:
Inderal LA
Drug class:
non-cardioselective beta blockers, group II antiarrhythmics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Aimovig 5.0 613 reviews for Aimovig to treat Migraine Prevention
Rx N
Generic name:
erenumab systemic
Drug class:
CGRP inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Emgality 4.9 420 reviews for Emgality to treat Migraine Prevention
Rx N
Generic name:
galcanezumab systemic
Drug class:
CGRP inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
amitriptyline Off-label 7.6 365 reviews for amitriptyline to treat Migraine Prevention
Rx C N X
Generic name:
amitriptyline systemic
Drug class:
tricyclic antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
Botox 6.2 145 reviews for Botox to treat Migraine Prevention
Rx C N
Generic name:
onabotulinumtoxinA systemic
Drug class:
skeletal muscle relaxants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Qulipta 7.3 76 reviews for Qulipta to treat Migraine Prevention
Rx N
Generic name:
atogepant systemic
Drug class:
CGRP inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Nurtec ODT 6.3 50 reviews for Nurtec ODT to treat Migraine Prevention
Rx N
Generic name:
rimegepant systemic
Drug class:
CGRP inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
erenumab 5.1 621 reviews for erenumab to treat Migraine Prevention
Rx N
Generic name:
erenumab systemic
Brand name:
Aimovig
Drug class:
CGRP inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
onabotulinumtoxinA 6.2 148 reviews for onabotulinumtoxinA to treat Migraine Prevention
Rx C N
Generic name:
onabotulinumtoxinA systemic
Brand name:
Botox
Drug class:
skeletal muscle relaxants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Vyepti 5.1 32 reviews for Vyepti to treat Migraine Prevention
Rx N
Generic name:
eptinezumab systemic
Drug class:
CGRP inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
atogepant 7.3 76 reviews for atogepant to treat Migraine Prevention
Rx N
Generic name:
atogepant systemic
Brand name:
Qulipta
Drug class:
CGRP inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
galcanezumab 4.8 422 reviews for galcanezumab to treat Migraine Prevention
Rx N
Generic name:
galcanezumab systemic
Brand name:
Emgality
Drug class:
CGRP inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
rimegepant 6.3 51 reviews for rimegepant to treat Migraine Prevention
Rx N
Generic name:
rimegepant systemic
Brand name:
Nurtec ODT
Drug class:
CGRP inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
nortriptyline Off-label 7.7 207 reviews for nortriptyline to treat Migraine Prevention
Rx N N X
Generic name:
nortriptyline systemic
Drug class:
tricyclic antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
amlodipine Off-label 9.3 67 reviews for amlodipine to treat Migraine Prevention
Rx C N X
Generic name:
amlodipine systemic
Drug class:
calcium channel blocking agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
verapamil Off-label 7.6 60 reviews for verapamil to treat Migraine Prevention
Rx C N X
Generic name:
verapamil systemic
Drug class:
calcium channel blocking agents, group IV antiarrhythmics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
lisinopril Off-label 9.0 28 reviews for lisinopril to treat Migraine Prevention
Rx D N X
Generic name:
lisinopril systemic
Drug class:
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
Depakote 6.0 45 reviews for Depakote to treat Migraine Prevention
Rx D N X
Generic name:
divalproex sodium systemic
Drug class:
fatty acid derivative anticonvulsants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
baclofen Off-label 7.2 21 reviews for baclofen to treat Migraine Prevention
Rx C N X
Generic name:
baclofen systemic
Drug class:
skeletal muscle relaxants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
clonazepam Off-label 8.2 35 reviews for clonazepam to treat Migraine Prevention
Rx D 4 X
Generic name:
clonazepam systemic
Drug class:
benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine anticonvulsants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
atenolol Off-label 7.8 31 reviews for atenolol to treat Migraine Prevention
Rx D N X
Generic name:
atenolol systemic
Drug class:
cardioselective beta blockers
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
Ajovy 5.4 321 reviews for Ajovy to treat Migraine Prevention
Rx N
Generic name:
fremanezumab systemic
Drug class:
CGRP inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
zonisamide Off-label 6.0 50 reviews for zonisamide to treat Migraine Prevention
Rx C N X
Generic name:
zonisamide systemic
Drug class:
carbonic anhydrase inhibitor anticonvulsants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes

Frequently asked questions

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Learn more about Migraine Prevention

Medicine.com guides (external)

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Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.