migraine medication comparison

When you dive into migraine medication comparison, a side‑by‑side look at drugs used to treat migraine headaches. Also known as headache drug review, it helps patients and clinicians see how options stack up on effectiveness, speed of relief, safety and cost.

What you need to weigh

One of the first entities you’ll meet in any migraine medication comparison is the Triptan, a class of serotonin‑targeting meds that abort migraine attacks. Triptans work fast, usually within an hour, but they can cause chest tightness in a small percentage of users. Knowing the typical onset (30‑60 minutes), duration (up to 24 hours), and common side effects helps you decide if a triptan fits your lifestyle.

Another hot player is the CGRP inhibitor, a newer preventive drug that blocks the calcitonin gene‑related peptide responsible for migraine pain. CGRP inhibitors like erenumab or fremanezumab don’t stop a single attack instantly; instead, they reduce the frequency of attacks over weeks. They’re praised for low interaction risk, yet they cost more than older pills. When you compare CGRP inhibitors with older drugs, you’re really weighing long‑term prevention against short‑term relief.

Don’t forget the role of NSAID, over‑the‑counter anti‑inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen or naproxen. NSAIDs are cheap, widely available, and work best for mild to moderate migraines. Their main downside is stomach irritation with frequent use. Including NSAIDs in your migraine medication comparison gives a full picture of what non‑prescription choices look like alongside prescription options.

Beyond individual drugs, you’ll also encounter the concept of preventive therapy, a strategy that uses daily medication to lower migraine frequency. Preventive therapy often combines a low‑dose beta‑blocker, anti‑seizure drug, or a CGRP inhibitor. Linking preventive therapy to the other entities shows how short‑term abortive meds and long‑term preventives together shape a patient’s overall treatment plan. Below you’ll find a curated list of articles that break down each class, compare dosages, side‑effects, and cost, and give you actionable tips for picking the right migraine medication for your needs.