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CNS Drugs
Published in: CNS Drugs 10/2012

01-10-2012 | Therapy In Practice

Acute Treatment of Migraines

Authors: Dr Arnaldo N. Da Silva, Dr Stewart J. Tepper

Published in: CNS Drugs | Issue 10/2012

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Abstract

Migraine is a prevalent and disabling brain disorder that costs billions of dollars annually in direct healthcare costs, and school and work absenteeism and presenteeism. The objective of acute treatment is a cost-effective, rapid restoration of functional ability, with minimal recurrence and adverse effects.
The acute treatment of migraine includes specific drugs, which currently all have vasoconstrictive effects (dihydroergotamine and triptans), and nonspecific drugs that include paracetamol (acetaminophen), combination analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), dopamine antagonists, narcotics and corticosteroids.
NSAIDs have both peripheral and central effects on reversing migraine, and so may represent the best alternative for patients who cannot use triptans and ergots due to vascular contraindications. Narcotics and habituating medications should be avoided in the acute treatment of migraine, as the risk for transformation to chronic daily headache is excessively high at a relatively infrequent rate of exposure.
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Metadata
Title
Acute Treatment of Migraines
Authors
Dr Arnaldo N. Da Silva
Dr Stewart J. Tepper
Publication date
01-10-2012
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
CNS Drugs / Issue 10/2012
Print ISSN: 1172-7047
Electronic ISSN: 1179-1934
DOI
https://doi.org/10.2165/11635440-000000000-00000

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