Talk to your pharmacists for further information on over-the-counter treatments and to confirm if these drugs are suitable for you.
- Pain killers
- Triptans- OTC medicine for migraine
- Combined medicines
Pain killers for migraine treatment
Three main over the counter painkillers Paracetamol, Aspirin and Ibuprofen can be used for migraine. They tend to be most effective if taken early in the attack 4.
However, these products may become less effective the longer they are taken. Please consult your pharmacists or doctor for more information.
Triptans for migraine treatment
Sumatriptan is the most commonly used drug in this family of medications. Triptans work by narrowing blood vessels in the head, stopping pain signals from being sent to the brain, and blocking the release of certain natural substances that cause pain, nausea, and other symptoms of migraine. Triptans cannot prevent migraine attacks.
It is suitable for patients aged 18 to 65 years with a diagnosed and stable pattern of migraine that does not respond to painkillers. Please consult your pharmacists or doctor for more information.
Combination medicines for migraine treatment
Combination medicines contain both pain killers and anti-sickness medicines. Many people find combination medicines convenient 4. However the dose of painkillers or anti-sickness medicines may not be high enough to relieve the symptoms 4. Consult your pharmacist or doctor for more information.