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Medications for Migraine

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

About 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

Drugs used to treat Migraine

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

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
sumatriptan 7.6 396 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: sumatriptan systemic

Brand names:  Imitrex, Imitrex Statdose, Zembrace SymTouch, Onzetra Xsail, Tosymra …show all

Drug class: antimigraine agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

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

Imitrex 7.7 159 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: sumatriptan systemic

Drug class: antimigraine agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Botox 6.2 18 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: onabotulinumtoxinA systemic

Drug class: skeletal muscle relaxants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Maxalt 8.8 115 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: rizatriptan systemic

Drug class: antimigraine agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

rizatriptan 8.4 295 reviews
Rx C N

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

Ubrelvy 5.5 114 reviews
Rx N

Generic name: ubrogepant systemic

Drug class: CGRP inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Nurtec ODT 5.4 67 reviews
Rx N

Generic name: rimegepant systemic

Drug class: CGRP inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

onabotulinumtoxinA 6.2 18 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: onabotulinumtoxinA systemic

Brand name:  Botox

Drug class: skeletal muscle relaxants

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

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

lasmiditan 2.8 6 reviews
Rx 5

Generic name: lasmiditan systemic

Brand name:  Reyvow

Drug class: antimigraine agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

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

Reyvow 3.2 5 reviews
Rx 5

Generic name: lasmiditan systemic

Drug class: antimigraine agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

rimegepant 5.5 68 reviews
Rx N

Generic name: rimegepant systemic

Brand name:  Nurtec ODT

Drug class: CGRP inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

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

Relpax 8.6 146 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: eletriptan systemic

Drug class: antimigraine agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

gabapentin Off-label 7.9 107 reviews
Rx C N X

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

Butalbital Compound 9.3 22 reviews
Rx C 3 X

Generic name: aspirin / butalbital / caffeine systemic

Drug class: analgesic combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Excedrin Migraine 7.6 105 reviews
OTC N N X

Generic name: acetaminophen / aspirin / caffeine systemic

Drug class: analgesic combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Zomig 7.0 93 reviews
Rx C N X

Generic name: zolmitriptan systemic

Drug class: antimigraine agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Cambia 7.0 49 reviews
Rx D N X

Generic name: diclofenac systemic

Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Amerge 8.7 28 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: naratriptan systemic

Drug class: antimigraine agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Axert 9.0 28 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: almotriptan systemic

Drug class: antimigraine agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

cyclobenzaprine Off-label 7.5 39 reviews
Rx B N X

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

Fiorinal 8.5 48 reviews
Rx C 3 X

Generic name: aspirin / butalbital / caffeine systemic

Drug class: analgesic combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Maxalt-MLT 8.7 71 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: rizatriptan systemic

Drug class: antimigraine agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Treximet 9.1 88 reviews
Rx C N X

Generic name: naproxen / sumatriptan systemic

Drug class: antimigraine agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

diclofenac 7.2 58 reviews
Rx D N X

Generic name: diclofenac systemic

Brand name:  Cambia

Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

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

aspirin / butalbital / caffeine 8.8 82 reviews
Rx C 3 X

Generic name: aspirin / butalbital / caffeine systemic

Brand names:  Butalbital Compound, Fiorinal

Drug class: analgesic combinations

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, Prescribing Information

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

IBM Watson Micromedex

Symptoms and treatments

Mayo Clinic Reference

Legend

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.
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
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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Further information

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

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