Antidepressant for migraine prevention

Which antidepressant is best for treating migraines? What medications are used for migraine prevention? What drugs are best for migraine headaches? How often should you take drugs for migraine prevention?

Some drugs that treat depression, called antidepressants, have been found to be effective in preventing migraine, even in people who do not experience depression. Side effects of antidepressants vary from one medication to another and from person to person.

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.

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. SSRIs are the most popular drugs for the treatment of anxiety and depression, but they are ineffective for the treatment of pain, migraines, and other headaches.

These drugs include Prozac ( fluoxetine ), Paxil ( paroxetine ), Lexapro ( escitalopram ), Zoloft ( sertraline ) and other. Talk To Your Doctor Today.

Download A Savings Card. Other types of drug, such as triptans, are commonly prescribed to treat the headache pain once it has started. Tricyclic antidepressants work by affecting chemicals in the brain, especially serotonin levels. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter found in the brainstem and midbrain. It will take some medication adjustment to figure out the best dosage for you.

Another form (clomipramine) is used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorders. Preventive medications are taken daily to prevent migraine attacks from occurring. Many different preventive medications are available, and the choice of medication depends on many factors such as co-existing conditions—including high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes,.

They are not intended for use to treat an acute attack. Antidepressant medicines, which are usually used to treat depression , can be effective in preventing migraine headaches. Although it has not been approved by the U. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for preventing migraines, a few studies have shown that it can be effective for this off-label use. Antidepressants have some pain-relieving properties and may reduce duration and frequency of headaches. Anti-Seizure Medications.

Tricyclic Antidepressants. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s). Migraine Prevention Medications: What Is The Best One?

But if they are not helpful or if they are contraindicate you may need to incorporate off-label uses of medications approved for other conditions.

The various categories of preventive medication are: β-Blockers Propranolol, nadolol, atenolol, metoprolol and timolol are effective for migraine prevention. The most evidence favors the beta-blockers metoprolol, propranolol, and timolol, followed by atenolol and nadolol. Should beta-blockers not be advise for example in very athletic patients,.

Other tricyclics used in migraine prevention include doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), and nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor). You need to find your triggers in order to find the best medication to prevent migraines. Try a diary of what you ate, drank, when a migraine comes, if you notice any auras with it.

However, evidence about the efficacy and tolerability of TCAs in the prophylaxis of migraine in adults is.