Migraine

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Rated

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Summary

Migraines are intense headaches that often cause a severe throbbing pain on one side of the head.
They can be preceded by an ‘aura,’ where you see flashing lights, zig-zag lines, or dark spots.
Migraine treatment options include both on-demand relief and preventative medicine you take daily.

Migraine: essential info
Causes
What are my options?
FAQ

Reviewed on January 06, 2025. by

Dr. Joseph Palumbo

Senior Medical Adviser

Registered with NPI (No. 1043478878)

Next review due on January 06, 2028

Last updated on January 05, 2025

Find the Migraine treatment that’s best for you.

We’ve got a range of options, and our clinicians can help you find the one that’s best for your body and your budget.

Zolmitriptan

7pill-silver_blister-pack-768x768-1-300x300

Rated

(2)

In stock

Generic version of Zomig. Comes as a regular or melt in the mouth tablet, or a nasal spray.

Starting at $81.95

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Sumatriptan

Rated

(17)

In stock

Generic tablet. Similar to Imitrex. Suitable for migraines with or without aura.

Starting at $82.95

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Rizatriptan

In stock

Generic version of Maxalt. Can provide effective migraine relief within two hours.

Starting at $79.95

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Naratriptan

In stock

The generic version of Amerge. Works in the body for 6 hours to treat your symptoms.

Starting at $172.95

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Relpax

Eletriptan

Rated

(1)

In stock

Branded migraine treatment that’s proven to provide effective symptom relief in under 2 hours.

Starting at $1,023.95

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Frovatriptan

In stock

Migraine symptom relief that lasts in your body for 5 times longer than other triptans.

Starting at $199.95

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Maxalt

Rizatriptan

In stock

Branded version of Rizatriptan. Comes as both a tablet or orodispersible for quick and easy migraine relief.

Starting at $279.95

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Zomig

Zolmitriptan

Rated

(1)

In stock

Branded version of Zolmitriptan. Available as a nasal spray or tablet for fast symptom relief.

Starting at $1,859.95

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Imitrex

Sumatriptan

In stock

Can treat migraines within 2 hours. Branded version of Sumatriptan.

Starting at $1,163.95

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Frova

Frovatriptan

Out of stock

Frova treats migraine quickly and, unlike other meds, can prevent menstrual migraines too.

Starting at $2,838.95

Out of stock

Sumatriptan + Naproxen

Out of stock

The combination treatment for migraine headaches with or without aura.

Starting at $292.95

Out of stock

What are migraines?

Migraines are very painful headaches that can interfere with your thinking, movements, and ability to handle everyday tasks. Unlike typical headaches, which might be soothed with over-the-counter painkillers, migraines often need medical treatment and monitoring.

Some migraines are preceded by what’s called an ‘aura’. Aura symptoms can be just as disruptive as the migraine itself and may include seeing flashing lights, zig-zag lines, or dark spots, sensitivity to noise and light, and numbness that can start in one hand and spread to the arm and face. These aura symptoms are often seen as early signs of a migraine.

Not everyone who gets migraines experiences an aura, and many people never have them at all. There’s also a third group of people who may get aura symptoms but never get a headache. This is called a silent migraine.

Who gets migraines?

Anyone can experience migraines, but research shows that women are more likely to get them than men.^[1] This condition is also more common in people with a family history of migraines.

While the exact cause of migraines is unknown, some common triggers are high levels of stress, irregular sleep patterns or not enough sleep, and too much alcohol or caffeine.^[2]

How common are migraines?

Migraines are a leading cause of recurring headaches. Although they can have genetic links, anyone can get them due to emotional, physical, or environmental triggers. It’s thought that migraines are experienced by at least 20% of women, and over 10% of men at some point in their lives.^[3]

Treated trusted source:

QuickStats: Percentage* of Adults Who Had a Severe Headache or Migraine in the Past 3 Months, by Sex and Age Group — National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2018†,§. (2020). MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 69(12), p.359.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (2023). Migraine | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. [online] www.ninds.nih.gov.
Weatherall, M.W. (2015). The diagnosis and treatment of chronic migraine. Therapeutic Advances in Chronic Disease, [online] 6(3), pp.115–123.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr. Joseph Palumbo on January 06, 2025. Next review due on January 06, 2028.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

What causes migraines?

The exact cause of migraines is unknown, but there are theories such as them being the result of abnormal brain activity temporarily affecting nerve signals, chemicals and blood vessels in the brain.

Migraines often have triggers, and they’ll be different for everyone. There can be emotional, physical and environmental triggers, so to try and pinpoint what your triggers are you need to log and evaluate everything that has changed for you leading up to the migraines.

A common trigger, for example, is hormonal changes, particularly in women. Around the time a woman gets their period, they experience hormonal fluctuations especially estrogen, which causes migraines. When that’s the case, they might find that their migraines get better post-menopause.

What are the symptoms of a migraine?

The symptoms will vary depending on the type of migraine you’re experiencing. There are three types of migraine: migraine with aura, silent migraine, and migraine headache without aura. Although each can have many side effects, you might not feel all of them, as everyone experiences them differently.

Migraine with aura

Temporary visual disturbances
Nausea
Sensitivity to light and sound
Dizziness
Speech difficulty
Numbness
Muscle weakness
Intense headache, usually on one side of the head only

Silent migraine

Drowsiness
Neck stiffness
Visual disturbances
Taste and hearing disturbances
Numbness
Muscle weakness
Speech difficulty
Nausea and vomiting
Hot flashes and chills
Dizziness
Sensitivity to light and sound

Migraine without aura

Intense headache, usually on one side of the head only
Nausea
Light and noise sensitivity

This page was medically reviewed by Dr. Joseph Palumbo on January 06, 2025. Next review due on January 06, 2028.

How we source info.

What medications are there for migraines?

There’s no cure for migraines, but the right treatment can help make the symptoms manageable. The most common treatments offered for migraines are tablets which offer pain relief. Sometimes you might be given tablets to take whenever you get a migraine, or you may take tablets on a daily basis that can help decrease the frequency of migraines. Or a combination of the two.

If you have trouble swallowing or just prefer not to take tablets, there are also nasal sprays or orally dissolving tablets.

Is there a “best” treatment for migraines?

No one treatment can be considered the “best” as such, because all treatments affect people differently, and some work better than others depending on your specific health needs. Our doctor can advise and help you find a suitable treatment that works well for you.

Studies have shown that medications like melatonin (3 mg) and amitriptyline (25 mg) can be effective for preventing migraines, with melatonin showing slightly better overall results and tolerability.^[1]

Ultimately, no matter what treatment you use, it’s agreed that physical activity, trigger avoidance, and behavior and lifestyle changes play a central role in the prevention and treatment of migraines.^[2]

Do migraines always need treatment?

Whether or not you need treatment will depend on how severe your migraines are and how much they affect your daily life. If you notice a particular pattern and can find specific triggers for your migraines, you might even be able to avoid them altogether. This is often easier said than done, but if you can find a way to manage your migraines that way, you will be able to avoid having to take medication.

When you get a migraine it might seem inevitable to take painkillers, but taking painkillers too often can increase the frequency and severity of headaches and migraines in the long term. So if you’re experiencing migraines often, you should seek treatment, rather than continuing to take painkillers.

Treated trusted source:

Gonçalves, A.L., Martini Ferreira, A., Ribeiro, R.T., Zukerman, E., Cipolla-Neto, J. and Peres, M.F.P. (2016). Randomised clinical trial comparing melatonin 3 mg, amitriptyline 25 mg and placebo for migraine prevention. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, [online] 87(10), pp.1127–1132.
Ong, J.J.Y. and De Felice, M. (2017). Migraine Treatment: Current Acute Medications and Their Potential Mechanisms of Action. Neurotherapeutics, 15(2), pp.274–290.

How we source info.

Migraine: FAQ

Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

Are there different types of migraine?

Answer:

There are three different types of migraine: migraines with aura, migraines without aura and silent migraines.

Migraine with aura involves warning signs like visual disturbances or dizziness before the headache.

Migraine without aura happens without any preceding signs.

Silent migraines involve aura symptoms but no headache.

Can migraines lead to other problems?

Answer:

In the short term, migraines can severely affect someone’s quality of life, to the point of hindering their ability to perform basic tasks or even leave them bedridden for days at a time.

In the long term, migraines have been linked to an increased likelihood of suffering an ischaemic stroke, but the reason for that is unknown and the risk is relatively low.^[1]

Migraines are also associated with an increase in the risk of developing psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.^[2]

How are migraines diagnosed?

Answer:

If you’ve recently started having migraines and aren’t seeking treatment, see a healthcare provider to rule out any underlying conditions. Diagnosis might involve physical exams of reflexes, vision, and coordination, along with specific questions about the nature and severity of your migraines. Keeping a record of your migraine symptoms can also help identify patterns and triggers.

If your migraines are frequent and resistant to treatment, you may be referred to a headache specialist.

Are there tests for migraines?

Answer:

As of yet, there are no tests for migraines. To get an accurate diagnosis, you would need to speak to a doctor and identify a pattern of recurring headaches and associated symptoms. You can do this by logging every migraine you get onto an app or calendar a few weeks before you set up an appointment.

Can you get side effects from migraine treatment?

Answer:

All medications come with possible side effects, but that’s not a guarantee that you will experience any. As for migraine treatment medication, different products will come with different potential side effects. But most of these products will have a few side effects in common like drowsiness, flushing, or tenderness of the fingers and toes.

Do migraine treatments always work?

Answer:

When you first start your migraine treatment, it can be a case of some trial and error. You might have to try a few different medications before you find one that helps, but most people usually find something that works for them. The goal is to find effective pain relief, and our clinician can help you with that.

It’s always good to keep in mind that overusing migraine medication can actually lead to more frequent migraines, and even make them more severe than before. So you need to be careful not to use too much medication. Instead, use it only when you’re experiencing an active migraine or when you experience an aura.

Treated trusted source:

Øie, L.R., Kurth, T., Gulati, S. and Dodick, D.W. (2020). Migraine and risk of stroke. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 91(6), pp.593–604.
Antonaci, F., Nappi, G., Galli, F., Manzoni, G.C., Calabresi, P. and Costa, A. (2011). Migraine and psychiatric comorbidity: a review of clinical findings. The Journal of Headache and Pain, [online] 12(2), pp.115–125.

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