How to treat a migraine

Over-the-counter painkillers

Paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin are all good things to stock up on if you experience migraines.

To be most effective, these kind of painkillers, should be taken as soon as you feel a migraine coming on. If you wait until the pain has become more severe, it’s unlikely that you’ll feel any benefit. To speed up the process you can use soluble painkillers (i.e. ones that you dissolve in water) as these are absorbed by the body much quicker. Remember, although these painkillers may be available without a prescription but you’ll still need to take them as instructed on the pack. Don’t double up on doses or take anything that hasn’t been approved by your GP. You can always speak to a pharmacist for advice on the dose suitable for you.

What is an “overuse” or “painkiller” headache?

If you take painkillers frequently, there’s a risk that you’ll start having a ‘medication overuse headache’. To try and avoid this, it can be helpful to look for alternatives to standard pain relief, and to talk to your GP about migraine treatments that are more effective and which can bee taken less often.

Triptans for migraines

Triptans are the standard treatment for most people who have migraines. It’s thought that this medication works by narrowing the blood vessels around the brain, essentially reversing the effects of a migraine. As with over-the-counter painkillers, triptans should be taken at the beginning of a migraine attack, usually when your head begins to hurt. A second dose may be taken as per dosage guidelines on the pack. There can be some side effects associated with triptans, but these tend to be mild and improve with time. If the side effects are too strong or you don’t find the treatment effective, speak to your GP as they should be able to prescribe a different type of triptan.

Antiemetics for a migraine with nausea

Antiemetics are medicines that prevent sickness – specifically nausea and vomiting. This is a treatment prescribed to people with migraine who experience sickness as one of their main symptoms. Normally you’ll want to take antiemetics when your symptoms begin, often at the same time as a painkiller or triptan.

TENS machines

A TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) machine is a device that uses small electrical impulses to block pain signals going to the central nervous system, and is thought to also stimulate the production of the body’s natural painkiller, endorphins.

Normally, a TENS machine is used for arthritis, joint pain, sports injuries and period pain. However, it can also be used to treat pain during a migraine attack, provided the electrodes on the device aren’t placed on the neck or temples, or near the eyes.

Here at LloydsPharmacy we’ve developed our own TENS machine specially for use during migraines. The device attaches directly to the forehead and helps to treat pain during a attack and reduce the likelihood of future episodes.

Acupuncture for migraines

Acupuncture is the practice of puncturing key areas of the body with thin needles to stimulate the nerves and relieve pain. It’s a technique that originated in ancient China, and today it is used in both traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine.

The process can help relieve migraine pain and prevent migraines from recurring. Usually, you’ll need to have a course of up to 10 session across a period of five to eight weeks. This option can be considered if by healthcare professionals if migraine preventative treatments are unsuitable or ineffective.

During acupuncture, the insertion of the needles can create a tingling sensation or a dull ache, but the process shouldn’t be painful.

Supplements for migraines

Certain dietary supplements have been found to benefit people with migraine, helping to prevent the regularity and severity of attacks. The supplements that may be effective for migraines, according to The Migraine Trust, are: