New Guidelines for Drugs Helpful in Preventing Migraines
May 1, 2012 § Leave a Comment
New Guidelines for Drugs Helpful in Preventing Migraines
Two thirds of migraine sufferers could experience less severe and fewer migraine headaches if they took preventive medications, but only one third of eligible patients actually do, according to a new guidelines jointly released by the American Headache Society and the American Academy of Neurology and published in the journal Neurology.
Based on a review of 284 publications and studies, the new recommendations include several prescription medications that have been shown to be effective at helping with migraines. The preventative guidelines include depression, epilepsy, and blood pressure drugs.
Those medications that had the strongest evidence at preventing migraine headaches included the blood pressure drugs Metoprolol (Lopressor or Toprol), Propanolol (Inderal) and Timolol (Blocadren), anti-seizure drugs divalproex sodium (Depakote), sodium valproate (Depakote, Depakene, Stavzor) and Topiramate (Topamax or Topiragen), and menstrual-related migraine medication frovatriptan (Frova). However, other prescription medications showed moderate support in reducing the intensity and frequency of migraine attacks. The guidelines also indicate strong support for butterbur, a herbal remedy.
Migraine headaches affect over 29 million Americans and is one of the most common type of dehiblitating headaches that cause people to see their doctors, according to the Office on Women’s Health division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Consumers can refer to the information sheet Prescription Drug Treatment for Migraine Prevention in Adults published by the American Headache Society and American Academy of Neurology.
Before choosing a migraine-prevention drug, speak with your physician about your options.
Pharmacy Headquarters Blog (PharmacyHeadquarters.com) Editorial Staff Copyright 2012 – All rights reserved
