Migraine Symptons

People who suffer from the mildest form of migraine headaches are often able to combat the symptoms with the class of drugs known as analgesics. These include the most common pain-killer, acetylsalicylic acid. This is available in herbal form as ground white willow bark or in prepared form as ordinary aspirin. An analgesic that was developed for use with patients who have aspirin allergies is acetaminophen. Some migraine patients have also had good results with the non-steroidial anti-inflammatory drug, ibuprofen.

The class of drugs known as triptans (sumatriptan, rizatriptan, naratriptan, zolmitriptan, eletriptan, imotriptan, and frovatiptan) function by changing the blood chemistry in the brain at the time of the migraine attack. They work within the blood vessels in the skull and prevent the release of the chemicals called neuropeptides that cause the inflammation that leads to migraines.

A newly developed drug that is still in its trial phase and known by its experimental name, BIBN 4096 BS is a promising next step beyond the triptans. The new drug blocks specific protein molecules that can cause migraines. The drug is thought to be effective in stopping migraines even hours after they have begun.