Question

Migraine: Treatment.

Hint:

The goal of treatment is to relieve acute symptoms and prevent future attacks. A combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments is often most effective.

Answer 1

Step 1: Acute Treatment.
Acute treatment aims to relieve symptoms during an active migraine attack. Common treatments include:
(1) NSAIDs - Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., ibuprofen) for pain relief.
(2) Triptans - Serotonin receptor agonists (e.g., sumatriptan) are highly effective for aborting an acute attack.
(3) Antiemetics - Medications like metoclopramide can be used for nausea and vomiting associated with migraines.
(4) Ergotamines - Older drugs (e.g., ergotamine) that can be effective but have more side effects.
Step 2: Preventive Treatment.
Preventive treatment is used for frequent migraines, and options include:
(1) Beta-blockers - Drugs like propranolol help in reducing the frequency of attacks.
(2) Antidepressants - Tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline are effective for chronic migraines.
(3) Anticonvulsants - Medications like topiramate and valproic acid are commonly used for migraine prevention.
(4) CGRP Inhibitors - Newer medications like erenumab that block the calcitonin gene-related peptide, involved in the migraine process.
Step 3: Non-Pharmacological Treatments.
(1) Lifestyle Modifications - Identifying triggers (e.g., stress, sleep patterns, diet) and adopting strategies to avoid them.
(2) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - Psychological therapies that can help manage stress and prevent migraines.