Migraine therapy

Therapy

In the meantime, various groups of drugs are available for the treatment of migraine. The medication used is largely dependent on the severity of the migraine attack. There are three different degrees of severity: For nausea and vomiting, active substances such as metoclopramide (Paspertine) or domperidone (Motilium) are used.

They lead to a reduction in nausea and activate the gastrointestinal activity, which comes to a halt during migraine. This creates the basis for the intake of further medication – such as painkillers. Basically, classic painkillers such as acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) or paracetamol, but also non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Ibuprofen or Dicolfenac (Voltaren) or Metamizol (Novalgin) are used.

Sometimes stronger painkillers such as Valoron can also be helpful.

  • Mild seizures
  • Medium seizures
  • Severe seizures

Ergotamine preparations (ergot derivatives = alkaloids) are used to regulate the vascular width. Unfortunately, ergotamine has some side effects.

Their vasoconstrictive effect can lead to circulatory disorders elsewhere. They must therefore not be used in cases of known circulatory disorders of the coronary vessels. Regular use of ergotamines can lead to withdrawal headaches if you do not take more ergotamines, which can lead to a vicious circle.

Ergotamines should therefore not be taken more often than 10 -12 times per month. They only work at the beginning of the attack and must therefore be taken in the early stages. For some years now, the group of triptans has been successfully used in migraine therapy.

They are not actually painkillers and therefore only help with migraine headaches. Pharmacologically they act as serotinin agonists. That means they stimulate – by their related appearance as serotonin – serotonin receptors (5- HT 1B/1D – receptors), which leads to a reduction of headache, nausea and vomiting.

Due to its temporary effectiveness, symptoms may reappear after a few hours, which can be reduced by taking it again. Several manufacturers now offer different triptans such as almotriptan, naratriptan, sumatriptan or eletriptan. Further information on this topic can be found here: Triptans Also behavioral therapy, which can be learned from specially trained psychotherapists and psychiatrists, can influence migraine.

Special relaxation techniques have proven to be effective. Biofeedback – is not very common – but helps during the acute attack. In special laboratories it is possible to learn to consciously influence the width of the cerebral vessels by “visualizing” the width of the cerebral vessels, which should help to “control” the migraine attack.