hi every one ,for those of you who may have migraine or suspect mav.
if one med dosnt work look at this list.
from jen cheers
Headache and Migraine Preventives:
It’s Impossible to Have Tried Everything!
When discussing preventive medications, it’s not at all unusual to
hear someone with frequent Migraines or headaches say, “I’ve tried
everything!” In the reality of today’s headache and Migraine
medicine, that’s just not possible. As you can see from the list
below, there are over 100 medications and dietary supplements, as
well as at least one medical device, being used successfully for
headache and Migraine prevention. There are also virtually endless
combinations of them. Many people find that it’s not a single
medication or supplement that ends up being successful for them, but
a combination of preventives.
The following medications are being used successfully by some
headache and Migraine patients as preventive medications. They’re
listed first by their generic names, followed by some of their brand
names.
ANTIHYPERTENSIVES (blood pressure meds)
Alpha-2 agonists:
Clonidine, aka Catapres
Guanfacine, aka Tenex
ACE Inhibitors:
Benazepril, aka Lotensin
Captopril, aka Capoten
Enalapril, aka Vasotec
Fosinopril, aka Monopril
Lisinopril, aka Zestril, Prinivil
Moexipril, aka Univasc
Perindopril, aka Aceon
Quinapril, aka Accupril
Ramipril, aka Altace
Trandolapril, aka Mavik
Alzheimer’s/Dementia Medicaton:
Memantine, aka Namenda
Angiotensin II Inhibitors:
Candesartan, aka Atacand
Eprosartan, aka Teveten
Irbesartan, aka Avapro
Losartan, aka Cozaar
Olmesartan, aka Benicar
Telmisartan, aka Midcardis
Valsartan, aka Diovan
Beta Blockers:
Acebutolol, aka Secral
Atenolol, aka Tenormin
Betaxolol, aka Kerlone
Bisoprolol, aka Zebeta, Emconcor
Cartelol, aka Cartrol
Labetalol, aka Normodyne, Trandate
Metoprolol, aka Lopressor
Nadolol, aka Corgard
Penbutololm aka Levatol
Pindolol, aka Visken, Syn-Pindolol
Propranolol, aka Inderal
Timolol, aka Blocadren
Calcium Channel Blockers:
Amlodipine, aka Norvasc
Bepridil, aka Vascor
Diltiazem, aka Cardizem, Tiazac
Felodipine, aka Plendil
Flunarizine, aka Sibelium (Canada)
Isradipine, aka DynaCirc
Nicardipine, aka Cardene
Nifedipine, aka Adalat, Procardia
Nimodipine, aka Nimotop
Nisoldipine, aka Sular
Verapamil, aka Calan, Verelan, Isoptin
ANTIHISTAMINES:
Cyproheptadine, aka Periactin
Pizotifen, aka Sandomigran (UK)
ANTIDEPRESSANTS
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs):
Amitriptyline, aka Elavil (discontinued), Endep
Amoxapine, aka Asendin
Clomipramine, aka, Anafranil
Desipramine, aka Norpramin
Doxepin, aka Sinequan
Imipramine, aka Norfranil, Tofranil
Nortriptyline, aka Pamelor, Aventyl
Protriptyline, aka Vivactil
Trimipramine, aka Surmontil
MAOI Antidepressants:
Isocarboxazid, aka Marplan
Phenelzine, aka Nardil
Tranylcypromine, aka Parnate
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs):
Citalopram, aka Celexa
Escitalopram oxalate, aka Lexapro
Fluoxetine, aka Prozac
Fluvoxamine, aka Luvox
Paroxetine, aka Paxil
Sertraline, aka Zoloft
Selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs):
Duloxetine hydrochloride, aka Cymbalta
Venlafaxine, aka Effexor, Effexor XR
Other Antidepressants:
Bupropion, aka Wellbutrin, Zyban
Mirtazepine, aka Remeron
Trazodone, aka Desyrel
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Meds:
Dextroamphetamine, aka Adderall
Atomoxetine HCl, aka Strattera
Methylphenidate HCl, aka Concerta, Ritalin
Pemoline, aka Cylert
ARTHRITIS MEDS
Cox-2 Enzyme Inhibitors:
Celecoxib, aka Celebrex
MUSCLE RELAXANTS:
Carisoprodol, aka Soma
Cyclobenzaprine, aka Flexeril
Lioresal, aka Baclofen
Metaxalone, aka Skelaxin
Tizanidine, aka Zanaflex
NEURONAL STABILIZING AGENTS (antiseizure meds)
Many people call this class of medications “antiseizure
medications.” Actually, these meds are neuronal stabilizing agents.
They work to stabilize the neuronal activity in the brain.
Considering that Migraineurs have overactive neurons in the brain
that, when a trigger is encountered, start firing in a wave and
start a chain reaction that produces the symptoms of a Migraine
attack, it makes sense to use them for Migraine prevention. These
meds are only antiseizure meds when they’re being used to prevent
seizure activity.
Carbamazepine, aka Tegretol
Clonazepam, Klonopin
Clorazepate, aka Tranxene
Divalproex, aka Depakote
Gabapentin, aka Neurontin
Levetiracetam, Keppra
Lamotrigine, aka Lamictal
Oxcarbazepine, Trileptal
Tiagabine, aka Gabitril
Topiramate, aka Topamax
Valproate Sodium, aka Depacon
Zonisamide, aka Zonegran
Pregabalin, aka Lyrica
ERGOT ALKALOID:
Methylergonovine, aka Methergine (the only ergot used as a
preventive)
LEUKOTRIENE BLOCKERS:
Montelukast, aka Singulair
Zafirlukast, aka Accolate
Zyleuton, aka Zyflo
OTHER:
Baclofen, aka Lioresal
Botulinum Toxin Type A, aka Botox
Memantine, aka Namenda
DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS:
Coenzyme Q10
Feverfew
Butterbur, aka Petadolex
Magnesium
Vitamin B2
5-HTP (Check carefully with doctor because of interactions with meds
including triptans and SSRIs)
Lecithin
Melatonin
DEVICES:
The NTI Tension Suppression System, invented by Dr. Jim Boyd, has
proven quite effective for some people who have problems with
clenching or grinding their teeth in their sleep.
This list will be updated as more medications are successfully used
for headache and Migraine prevention. If you’re having problems
finding an effective preventive regimen, sharing this list with your
doctor may be helpful to you.
References:
Ramadan, Nahib M., MD; Silberstein, Stephen D., Md, FACP; Frietag,
Frederick G., DO; Gilbert, Thomas T., MD, MPH; Frishberg, Benjamin
M., MD. “Evidence-Based Guidelines for Migraine Headache in the
Primary Care Setting: Pharmacological Management for Prevention of
Migraine.” American Academy of Neurology Practice Guidelines.
September, 2000.
. So unfortunately I’ll have to drop this one and wait to see my neuro (he didn’t prescribe these by the way…I managed to get some prescribed elsewhere as I thought I knew better (lol)!!!)
