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Medications for Migraine

Other names: Basilar Artery Migraine; Basilar-Type Migraine; Complicated Migraine; Hemiplegic Migraine; Migraine Headache

What is Migraine:  Migraine headaches are a type of headache that some people get repeatedly over time. Migraines are different from other headaches because they occur with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light.

Some people who get migraines have warning symptoms, called an aura, before the actual headache begins. Most people, however, do not have such warning symptoms.

See also: sub-topics

Medications to treat Migraine

The following list of medications are in some way related to, or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rx / OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol Reviews Rating Popularity
Imitrex C N 128 reviews
8.0

Generic name: sumatriptan systemic

Drug class: antimigraine agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
sumatriptan C N 268 reviews
8.0

Generic name: sumatriptan systemic

Brand names:  Imitrex, Imitrex Statdose, Imitrex Nasal, Sumavel DosePro, Alsuma, Onzetra Xsail, Zecuity, Zembrace SymTouch …

Drug class: antimigraine agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Maxalt C N 94 reviews
8.0

Generic name: rizatriptan systemic

Drug class: antimigraine agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Relpax C N 120 reviews
8.0

Generic name: eletriptan systemic

Drug class: antimigraine agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Amerge C N 22 reviews
9.0

Generic name: naratriptan systemic

Drug class: antimigraine agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Axert C N 26 reviews
9.0

Generic name: almotriptan systemic

Drug class: antimigraine agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Butalbital Compound C 3 X 8 reviews
8.0

Generic name: aspirin / butalbital / caffeine systemic

Drug class: analgesic combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

 
Cambia D N X 24 reviews
8.0

Generic name: diclofenac systemic

Drug class: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
Zomig C N X 62 reviews
7.0

Generic name: zolmitriptan systemic

Drug class: antimigraine agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Treximet C N X 82 reviews
8.0

Generic name: naproxen / sumatriptan systemic

Drug class: antimigraine agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
Fiorinal C 3 X 41 reviews
8.0

Generic name: aspirin / butalbital / caffeine systemic

Drug class: analgesic combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
Excedrin Migraine N N X 72 reviews
7.0

Generic name: acetaminophen / aspirin / caffeine systemic

Drug class: analgesic combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

 
Maxalt-MLT C N 60 reviews
9.0

Generic name: rizatriptan systemic

Drug class: antimigraine agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

 
rizatriptan C N 203 reviews
9.0

Generic name: rizatriptan systemic

Brand names:  Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT

Drug class: antimigraine agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
gabapentin Off Label C N X 80 reviews
8.0

Generic name: gabapentin systemic

Drug class: gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Off Label: Yes

 
Frova C N 36 reviews
9.0

Generic name: frovatriptan systemic

Drug class: antimigraine agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Reglan B N X 57 reviews
4.0

Generic name: metoclopramide systemic

Drug class: GI stimulants, miscellaneous antiemetics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
cyclobenzaprine Off Label B N X 28 reviews
7.0

Generic name: cyclobenzaprine systemic

Drug class: skeletal muscle relaxants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Off Label: Yes

 
naratriptan C N 33 reviews
8.0

Generic name: naratriptan systemic

Brand name:  Amerge

Drug class: antimigraine agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
aspirin / butalbital / caffeine C 3 X 54 reviews
8.0

Generic name: aspirin / butalbital / caffeine systemic

Brand names:  Butalbital Compound, Fiorinal, Farbital

Drug class: analgesic combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, Prescribing Information

 
Botox C N 9 reviews
7.0

Generic name: onabotulinumtoxinA systemic

Drug class: skeletal muscle relaxants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Excedrin N N X 13 reviews
6.0

Generic name: acetaminophen / aspirin / caffeine systemic

Drug class: analgesic combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

 
Norflex Off Label C N X 1 review
4.0

Generic name: orphenadrine systemic

Drug class: skeletal muscle relaxants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Off Label: Yes

 
diclofenac D N X 32 reviews
7.0

Generic name: diclofenac systemic

Brand name:  Cambia

Drug class: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

 
Methergine Off Label C N 6 reviews
8.0

Generic name: methylergonovine systemic

Drug class: uterotonic agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Off Label: Yes

 
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Topics under Migraine

Alternative treatments for Migraine

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Migraine. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Migraine.

Learn more about Migraine

Micromedex® Care Notes

Symptoms and treatments

Mayo Clinic Reference

Legend

Off Label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
Prescription Only / Over the Counter
Rx Prescription Only
OTC Over the Counter
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over the Counter
Pregnancy
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 Schedule
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.

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