context: Migraine headaches are among the symptoms of an actual condition known as migraine. Some medications can ease the pain and symptoms of a migraine headache. Other medications can help prevent the headaches. Talk to your doctor about which ones are right for you. You take these drugs at the first sign of a migraine attack to stop them. They are called "abortive" drugs. They prevent common symptoms like pain, nausea, and sound and light sensitivity. Some of these should not be used during a migraine with aura, so follow your doctor's instructions. Category Generic Name Brand Name May be used during an aura? Some Side Effects Over-the-counter ibuprofen Advil, Motrin Stomach upset or bleeding, Rash, Swelling, May raise risk of heart attack or stroke aspirin + acetaminophen + caffeine Excedrin Migraine, Excedrin, Goody's Heartburn Anxiety Insomnia Allergic reaction Liver damage Blood in stool or vomit Dizziness Easy bruising acetaminophen Excedrin Tension Headache, Tylenol, Valorin Liver damage Allergic reactions Rashes naproxen Aleve, Anaprox (prescription only), Naprosyn (prescription only) May raise risk of heart attack or stroke Stomach upset Stomach bleeding Nausea Vomiting Rash Liver damage Ergot dihydroergotamine DHE-45 injection, Ergomar, Migranal, intranasal Yes Nausea Numbness of fingers and toes Triptans sumatriptan succinate Imitrex injection, oral, intranasal Zembrace injection, Onzetra inhaled Not with he,miplegic migraine, migraine with brainstem aura, stroke, heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or pregnancy Dizziness Tingling Flushing Feelings of chest heaviness, burning, or tightness Nausea zolmitriptan Zomig Not with he,miplegic migraine, migraine with brainstem aura, stroke, heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or pregnancy Dizziness Tingling Flushing Feelings of chest heaviness, burning, or tightness Nausea rizatriptan Maxalt Not with he,miplegic migraine, migraine with brainstem aura, stroke, heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or pregnancy Dizziness Tingling Flushing Feelings of chest heaviness, burning, or tightness Nausea naratriptan Amerge Not with he,miplegic migraine, migraine with brainstem aura, stroke, heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or pregnancy Dizziness Tingling Flushing Feelings of chest heaviness, burning, or tightness Nausea almotriptan Axert Not with he,miplegic migraine, migraine with brainstem aura, stroke, heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or pregnancy Tiredness Dizziness Headache Nausea Chest pain frovatriptan Frova Not with he,miplegic migraine, migraine with brainstem aura, stroke, heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or pregnancy Dizziness Flushing Palpitations Chest pain Headache Tingling Nausea eletriptan Relpax Yes Dizziness Tingling Flushing Feelings of chest heaviness, burning, or tightness Nausea Headache Combination triptan + NSAID sumatriptan + naproxen Treximet Not with he,miplegic migraine, migraine with brainstem aura, stroke, heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or pregnancy Head, jaw, chest, and arm discomfort, tightening, or tingling Throat discomfort Muscle cramps Flushing Gastrointestinal upset or bleeding Nausea Vomiting Rash Liver damage If you have four or more migraine days each month, you take these drugs regularly to keep migraines attacks from happening. They lessen the number and severity of your headaches. You have to take them as prescribed for them to work. Your doctor may need to change the medications and adjust how much you take to figure out which drug or combination of drugs, and at which dosages, work best for you. While you're taking these drugs, write down how often you have headaches and how bad they are to help your doctor judge how well they are working. Most need days or weeks to take full effect. Once your headaches are under control for 6 months or a year, it may be possible to taper off or stop these drugs. You may need to take the drugs for a longer time, though. Your doctor will advise you. The medications listed include both over-the-counter and prescription drugs. These drugs aren't habit-forming, but any medication can cause unwanted side effects. Your doctor will adjust the dosage to give you the most relief with the fewest side effects. Category Generic Name Brand Name Treatment Information Possible Side Effects Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories diclofenac, Cataflam generics available Headache pain relief, Menstrual migraine prevention May raise risk of heart attack or stroke, Gastrointestinal upset, Drowsiness, Dizziness, Vision problems, Ulcers Ibuprofen Advil, Motrin Headache pain relief Menstrual migraine prevention May raise risk of heart attack or stroke Gastrointestinal upset or bleeding Nausea Vomiting Rash Liver damage naproxen sodium Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn 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, generics available Often started at low dosages and slowly increased to a helpful 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 duloxetine Effexor, Cymbalta. generics available Sleep problems Drowsiness Dizziness Vision changes Less sexual desire or ability Headaches Beta-blockers atenolol metoprololnadololpropranololtimolol Atenolol ( Tenomar) metoprolol ( Lopressor, Troprol XL) nadolol ( Corgard) propranolol ( Inderal) Depending on the form, may be taken one to three times a day. Fatigue Depression Weight gain Memory disturbance Faintness Diarrhea Anticonvulsants topiramate Qudexy XR Topamax Trokendi XR Often started at low dosages and slowly increased to a helpful level. Tingling in the arms Nausea Drowsiness Weight loss valproate Depakene Depakote Stavzor Depends on the form. Usually once or twice a day. Nausea Tiredness Tremor Dizziness Weight gain Hair loss Birth defects CGRP inhibitors Erenumab Aimovig Once a month, self-injections with a pen-like device to prevent Migraine headaches Mild pain and redness at the injection site are the most common side effects. Botulinum Toxin Type A onabotulinumtoxin A Botox Multiple injections are given about every 3 months to prevent chronic headache. Headache Neck pain Warning: You should not take triptans together with SSRI or SNRI antidepressants. You may get a life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome. Check all your medications with your doctor.