Your healthcare provider should address questions regarding their use. Although there is no cure for migraine headaches, numerous treatment options are available. All medications have potential side effects and may be incompatible with other medications used to treat coexisting medical problems or may worsen an underlying medical problem. Also, many of these medications are associated with birth defects and are therefore not safe to use during pregnancy. A physician will individualize treatment based on these factors.
Many medications can reduce the frequency of migraines.
Generally, these preventative medications need to be taken daily in order to be effective. Because they must be taken even in-between headaches, they are less useful and tolerable to patients with infrequent headaches. Other medications are taken when there is the first sign of an impending migraine attack. In the case of classic migraine, this is typically when visual disturbances are first noted. These medications can effectively stop the migraine in its' tracks, preventing the progression to other migraine symptoms or reducing the severity of the attack.