Pharmacological prevention of migraine.

Abstract

Although abortive treatment and nonpharmacologic interventions are effective for many if not most patients' occasional migraine attacks, patients who have frequent and/or severe attacks may benefit from preventive pharmacotherapy. This is particularly critical for those patients whose migraines are not treated effectively by acute-care medications because lack of pain control may lead to overuse syndromes that complicate further treatment. Inappropriate use of acute-care medication may contribute to chronic daily headache, tolerance to symptomatic medication, and headache refractory to all treatment. In addition, patients who increase use of acute-care medication due to lack of effect may suffer ergotism, GI problems, liver toxicity, analgesic nephropathy, drug induced-headache, and withdrawal symptoms when overused agents are withdrawn. Finally, overuse of acute-care medication may interfere with the effectiveness of preventive medication. The remainder of this article will focus on when to treat with preventive medication and which medications are currently available for prevention of migraine.

• Authors: A M Rapoport
• Journal: Clinical neuroscience (New York, N.Y.) (Clin Neurosci) Vol. 5 Issue 1 Pg. 55-9 ( 1998) ISSN: 1065-6766 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9523060 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
• Anticonvulsants
• Antidepressive Agents
• Calcium Channel Blockers
• Serotonin Antagonists
• Valproic Acid

Topics

• Adrenergic beta-Antagonists (therapeutic use)
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal (therapeutic use)
• Anticonvulsants (therapeutic use)
• Antidepressive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Calcium Channel Blockers (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Migraine Disorders (prevention & control)
• Serotonin Antagonists (therapeutic use)
• Valproic Acid (therapeutic use)