Antidepressant used for migraines

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Which antidepressant is best for treating migraines? What is the best antidepressant for headaches? What are anticonvulsants used to treat migraines? Can some antidepressants cause migraines?

The evidence of the efficacy of antidepressants for preventing migraine changes over time, as more studies look into prevention. So far, two antidepressant medications have been classified as “probably effective” at preventing migraine. These are amitriptyline (a generic tricyclic antidepressant ) and venlafaxine.

There is little evidence that other classes of antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs ) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors ( SNRIs ), are effective for migraine prevention. Antidepressants are sometimes used to prevent and treat headaches. WebMD offers a list of drugs doctors may prescribe along with possible side effects.

Nardil (phenelzine) is an antidepressant in the family of MAO inhibitors and it has also been used for the preventive treatment of migraine headaches. However, this drug has many potential serious drug-drug and drug–food interactions and most doctors avoid this medicine. For many years, amitriptyline (a tricyclic ) antidepressants was the one most often prescribed for migraine prevention. Some of the SSRI ( selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor ) antidepressants such as Prozac and Paxil have also been used. Tricyclic antidepressants are used to relieve clinical depression.

They are also being used , with some success, as Migraine preventives for some patients. Another form (clomipramine) is used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorders. In some cases, a doctor will prescribe Celexa or another citalopram option to prevent migraines. Amitriptyline has the best evidence for use in migraine prevention. Nortriptyline is an alternative in patients who may not tolerate amitriptyline.

The sedating effect of TCAs can be beneficial for patients with comorbid insomnia. Find treatment resources as well as safety and clinical data pertinent to doctors.

Do You Have Or More Migraine Headache Days A Month? Although it has not been approved by the U. Learn About A Treatment Option. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for preventing migraines , a few studies have shown that it can be effective for this off-label use. Some of these antidepressants are found to be effective in the treatment of a migraine, and even prevent migraine headaches in some cases. However, this only holds true for people who do not suffer from depression in the first place.

Some people find the side effects of antidepressants difficult to cope with, although it’s important to realize that side effects are not a given. There are some migraines drugs, though, that are used because they directly target the pain pathways associated with migraine headaches rather than pain pathways in general. Imitrex is considered one of the best drugs for migraine treatment. Certain antidepressant medications, including some SNRIs, have successfully been used to prevent migraines , which further supports the theory that the two disorders are connected. You can better manage your migraine symptoms by keeping an accurate account of each migraine attack in your migraine journal.

Rate the severity of your symptoms, how often they occur and how long they last. These include tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and anxiolytics.