Migraine Headache Abortive Therapy

Abortive therapy for migraine headaches has improved over the last decade, and newer medications (for example, triptans) are very effective and act rapidly to treat the cause of migraines. Antinausea medications (for example, prochlorperazine [Compazine] or promethazine [Phenergan]) may be used for individuals who experience nausea or vomiting. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil or Motrin are available without a prescription. Other nonprescription choices include combinations of aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), and caffeine (for example, Excedrin Migraine). Potent analgesic agents that combine acetaminophen or aspirin with barbiturates (butalbital), caffeine, and narcotic analgesics like codeine (for example, Fioricet, Fiorinal, Tylenol #3) may also be needed.