Migraine headaches affect 12% of the adult population in the United States and cause a significant economic loss due to decreased workplace productivity Although interactions between pharmacists and individuals with
headache are common, few pharmacists receive adequate training regarding
migraine therapy. We refute several misconceptions that hinder effective care, such as that
migraine is a
vascular disease,
triptans cause rampant cardiacrelated morbidity and even mortality, a best oral
triptan exists, sinus and
tension headaches are prevalent, and
migraine is a minor economic problem. Our pathophysiologic understanding demonstrates that
migraine is a neurologic process of the trigeminovascular system, of which vascular effects are secondary. This process can result in a myriad of clinical signs and symptoms, often leading to a misdiagnosis of sinus or
tension headache. The last decade's experience with
triptans in more than half a billion people worldwide reveals a benign adverse-effect profile, particularly when taken early in an attack. Published reports and real-world experiences illustrate that these drugs do not merit fears of
triptan-induced cardiac consequences in appropriately selected individuals. Society's productivity loss due to
migraine is measured in billions of dollars. Restoring a patient's ability to function normally is now recognized as the primary treatment goal, not merely relieving
pain. Thus, the overreliance on "
pain killer" drugs such as
butalbital-containing products and the continued underutilization of
migraine-specific drugs need to be addressed. Opportunities exist for pharmacists and other health care providers to dispel continually propagated
migraine misconceptions and familiarize themselves with advances in
therapy. Such actions will benefit patients, the health care system, and society as a whole.