Although there is no cure for migraines, this condition can be managed through lifestyle changes and medications.
Lifestyle changes should be made to identify and minimise exposure to any possible trigger factors, so for example if alcohol causes migraine that individual should avoid drinking alcohol.
Medications (such as painkillers, triptans and anti-sickness tablets) which either provide symptom relief during an attack can also be used to help manage migraines. Other medications may be prescribed to prevent migraine attacks if they become persistent.
Triptans: These are a group of prescription only medications (POMs) licensed for the treatment of migraines. They should can be used if simple painkillers have failed to provide adequate migraine relief. The Triptan family includes Sumatriptan (Imigran), Rizatriptan (Maxalt) and Zolmitriptan (Zomig). These medications are available in multiple forms including tablets, oral wafers, injections and nasal sprays.
The Triptans work in the brain to help deal with factors that contribute to the development of a migraine attack such as blood flow and trigeminal nerve activity. Triptans are effective for both pain and nausea in 75% of people.
