Migraine and Headache Treatments
MIGRAINE AND HEADACHE TREATMENTS | |||||
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Generic | Strength | Brand | Form | Dose | |
TREATMENT | |||||
Analgesic + Barbiturate | |||||
acetamin– ophen |
325mg | — | Rx | caps, tabs | Adults: 1–2 tabs or caps every 4hrs as needed; max 6/day. Children: Not established. |
butalbital | 50mg | ||||
caffeine | 40mg | ||||
acetamin– ophen |
300mg | — | Rx | caps | Adults: 1–2 caps every 4hrs as needed; max 6 caps/day. Children: Not established. |
butalbital | 50mg | ||||
caffeine | 40mg | ||||
acetamin– ophen |
325mg | — | Rx | tabs | Adults: 1–2 tabs every 4hrs; max 6 tabs/day. Children: Not recommended. |
butalbital | 50mg | ||||
Analgesic + Barbiturate + Opioid | |||||
acetamin– ophen |
325mg | Fioricet w. Codeine |
CIII | caps | Adults: 1–2 caps every 4hrs as needed; max 6 caps/day. Children: Not established. |
butalbital | 50mg | ||||
caffeine | 40mg | ||||
codeine phosphate |
30mg | ||||
Analgesic + Salicylate | |||||
acetamin– ophen |
250mg | Bayer Migraine Formula | OTC | caplets | ≥18yrs: 2 caplets with a glass of water; max 2 caplets/24hrs. <18yrs:: Not recommended. |
aspirin | 250mg | ||||
caffeine | 65mg | ||||
acetamin– ophen |
250mg | Excedrin Migraine | OTC | caplets | ≥18yrs: 2 caplets with a glass of water; max 2 caplets/24hrs. <18yrs:: Consult physician. |
aspirin | 250mg | ||||
caffeine | 65mg | ||||
Barbiturate + Salicylate | |||||
aspirin | 325mg | Fiorinal | CIII | caps | Adults: 1–2 caps every 4hrs as needed; max 6 caps/day. Children: Not established. |
butalbital | 50mg | ||||
caffeine | 40mg | ||||
Barbiturate + Salicylate + Opioid | |||||
aspirin | 325mg | Fiorinal w. Codeine |
CIII | caps | Adults: 1–2 caps every 4hrs as needed; max 6 caps/day. Children: Not established. |
butalbital | 50mg | ||||
caffeine | 40mg | ||||
codeine phosphate |
30mg | ||||
Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) Receptor Antagonist | |||||
rimegepant | 75mg | Nurtec ODT |
Rx | ODT | Adults: 75mg once (max daily dose). The safety of treating more than 15 migraines in a 30-day period has not been established. Children: Not established. |
ubrogepant | 50mg, 100mg | Ubrelvy | Rx | tabs | Adults: Initially 50mg or 100mg; may give a second dose ≥2hrs after initial dose (max 200mg/day). The safety of treating more than 8 migraines in a 30-day period has not been established. Children: Not established. |
Ergot Alkaloid | |||||
dihydro– ergotamine mesylate |
1mg/mL | D.H.E. 45 | Rx | IM, IV, or SC inj | Adults: 1mL IV at 1hr intervals; max 2 doses/day. Or, 1mL IM or SC at 1hr intervals; max 3 doses/day. For all: max 6 doses/wk. Not for chronic use. Children: Not recommended. |
4mg/mL | Migranal | Rx | nasal spray† | Adults: 1 spray in each nostril, repeat 15mins later; max 6 sprays/24hrs and 8 sprays/wk. Children: Not recommended. |
|
ergotamine tartrate |
1mg | — | Rx | tabs | Adults: 2 tabs at onset of attack, then 1 tab every ½hr if needed; max 6 tabs/attack, 10 tabs/wk. Children: Not recommended. |
caffeine | 100mg | ||||
ergotamine tartrate |
2mg | — | Rx | rectal supp | Adults: 1 supp rectally at onset of attack, then 1 supp after 1hr if needed; max 2 supps/attack, 5 supps/wk. Children: Not recommended. |
caffeine | 100mg | ||||
Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory (NSAID) | |||||
diclofenac potassium |
50mg | Cambia | Rx | buffered pwd for oral soln* | ≥18yrs: Mix 1 packet (50mg) with 30–60mL of water only and drink immediately. Not interchangeable with other forms of diclofenac. <18yrs: Not recommended. |
ibuprofen | 200mg | Advil Migraine | OTC | liq-filled caps | ≥18yrs: Usually 400mg once daily. <18yrs: Not recommended. |
200mg | Motrin Migraine Pain | OTC | caplets | ≥18yrs: Usually 200–400mg once daily. <18yrs: Not recommended. |
|
Selective 5-HT1B/1D Receptor Agonist | |||||
almotriptan (as malate) |
6.25mg, 12.5mg | — | Rx | tabs | ≥12yrs: 6.25–12.5mg single dose; may repeat once after 2hrs; max 25mg/24hrs. Hepatic impairment, CrCl 10–30mL/min, or concomitant potent CYP3A4 inhibitors: initially 6.25mg once; max 12.5mg/24hrs. The safety of treating an average of more than 4 migraines over 30 days is not established. <12yrs: Not established. |
eletriptan HBr | 20mg, 40mg | Relpax | Rx | tabs | ≥18yrs: 20mg or 40mg once. May repeat once after 2hrs; max 80mg/day. The safety of treating an average of more than 3 headaches in a 30-day period has not been established. <18yrs: Not established. |
frovatriptan (as succinate) |
2.5mg | Frova | Rx | tabs | ≥18yrs: 2.5mg with fluids; may repeat once after 2hrs; max 7.5mg/24hrs. The safety of treating an average of more than 4 headaches in a 30-day period has not been established. <18yrs: Not recommended. |
naratriptan HCl | 1mg, 2.5mg | Amerge | Rx | tabs | ≥18yrs: 1mg or 2.5mg with fluids; may repeat once after 4hrs; max 5mg/24hrs. The safety of treating, on average, more than 4 headaches in a 30-day period has not been established. Mild-to-moderate renal/hepatic impairment: initially 1mg; max 2.5mg/24hrs. <18yrs: Not recommended. |
rizatriptan (as benzoate) |
10mg | Maxalt | Rx | tabs | ≥18yrs: Initially 5 or 10mg; may repeat after 2hrs; max 30mg/24hrs. Concomitant propranolol: 5mg; max 15mg/24hrs. The safety of treating, on average, more than 4 headaches in a 30-day period has not been established. <6yrs: Not established. 6–17yrs (<40kg): 5mg; (≥40kg): 10mg. Concomitant propranolol (≥40kg only): max 5mg/24hrs. The efficacy and safety of treating with ≥1 dose/24hrs have not been established. |
10mg | Maxalt-MLT | Rx | ODT* | ||
sumatriptan | 4mg/ 0.5mL, 6mg/ 0.5mL |
Imitrex Injection | Rx | SC inj | ≥18yrs: 6mg SC (may start at lower dose if 6mg not tolerated). May repeat after 1hr; max two 6mg doses in 24hrs. <18yrs: Not recommended. |
5mg/ spray, 20mg/ spray |
Imitrex Nasal Spray | Rx | nasal spray | ≥18yrs: 5mg, 10mg, or 20mg once. May repeat once after 2hrs; max 40mg/day. The safety of treating an average of more than 4 headaches in a 30-day period has not been established. <18yrs: Not recommended. |
|
25mg, 50mg, 100mg | Imitrex Tablets | Rx | tabs | ≥18yrs: 25–100mg once, swallow whole with fluids as soon as possible after migraine onset; may repeat dose at intervals of at least 2hrs, max 200mg/day; or single-dose tablets up to 100mg/day if injection has been used. The safety of treating an average of more than 4 headaches in a 30-day period has not been established. <18yrs: Not recommended. |
|
11mg | Onzetra Xsail | Rx | caps for nasal inh | ≥18yrs: 1 nosepiece (11mg) in each nostril (22mg total), using Xsail delivery device. May repeat once after ≥2hrs; max 44mg (4 nosepieces)/day or one dose of Onzetra Xsail and one dose of another sumatriptan product separated by ≥2hrs. The safety of treating an average of more than 4 headaches in a 30-day period has not been established. <18yrs: Not established. |
|
10mg | Tosymra | Rx | nasal spray | ≥18yrs: 10mg as single spray in one nostril. Reevaluate if no response. Max cumulative dose: 30mg in 24hrs with each dose separated by ≥1hr. May also be given ≥1hr after another sumatriptan product. <18yrs: Not recommended. |
|
3mg/0.5mL | Zembrace Symtouch | Rx | soln for SC inj | ≥18yrs: 3mg SC. May repeat after ≥1hr; max 12mg in 24hrs. May also be given ≥1hr after another sumatriptan product. <18yrs: Not recommended. |
|
zolmitriptan | 2.5mg+, 5mg | Zomig | Rx | tabs | ≥18yrs: Initially 1.25–2.5mg; max recommended single dose: 5mg. If headache returns, may repeat after 2hrs; max 10mg/day. The safety of treating an average of more than 3 headaches in a 30-day period has not been established. Concomitant cimetidine: max single dose: 2.5mg, not to exceed 5mg in 24-hr period. <18yrs: Not recommended. |
5mg/ spray |
Zomig Nasal Spray | Rx | nasal spray | ≥18yrs: 5mg once. If headache returns, may repeat once after 2hrs; max 10mg/day. The safety of treating an average of more than 4 headaches in a 30-day period has not been established. <18yrs: Not recommended. |
|
2.5mg, 5mg | Zomig-ZMT | Rx | ODT* | ≥18yrs: Initially 1.25–2.5mg; max recommended single dose: 5mg. If headache returns, may repeat after 2hrs; max 10mg/day. The safety of treating an average of more than 3 headaches in a 30-day period has not been established. Concomitant cimetidine: max single dose: 2.5mg, not to exceed 5mg in 24-hr period. <18yrs: Not recommended. |
|
Selective 5-HT1B/1D Receptor Agonist + Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory (NSAID) | |||||
sumatriptan succinate/ naproxen sodium |
85/ 500mg |
Treximet | Rx | tabs | ≥12yrs: 1 tab (85/500mg) once; may repeat once after 2hrs; max 2 tabs/day. Mild-to-moderate hepatic impairment: 1 tab (10/60mg)/day. The safety of treating an average of more than 5 migraines in a 30-day period has not been established. <12yrs: Not established. 12–17yrs: 1 tab (10/60mg) once; max 1 tab (85/500mg)/day. The safety of treating an average of more than 2 migraines in a 30-day period has not been established. |
Selective 5-HT1F Receptor Agonist | |||||
lasmiditan | 50mg, 100mg | Reyvow | Rx | tabs | Adults: 50–200mg once as needed; max 1 dose/24hrs. The safety of treating an average of >4 migraines in a 30-day period has not been established. Children: Not established. |
PROPHYLAXIS | |||||
Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) Receptor Antagonist | |||||
eptinezumab-jjmr | 100mg/mL | Vyepti | Rx | soln for IV infusion after dilution | Adults: Infuse over 30mins. 100mg every 3mos; some patients may benefit from 300mg every 3mos. Children: Not established. |
erenumab-aooe | 70mg/mL, 140mg/mL | Aimovig | Rx | soln for SC inj | Adults: 70mg SC once monthly; some patients may benefit from 140mg monthly. Children: Not established. |
fremanezumab-vfrm | 225mg/1.5mL | Ajovy | Rx | soln for SC inj | Adults: 225mg SC once monthly or 675mg (three 225mg inj) every 3mos. Children: Not established. |
galcanezumab-gnlm | 100mg/mL, 120mg/mL | Emgality | Rx | soln for SC inj | Migraine: initially 240mg SC loading dose (two 120mg inj), followed by 120mg monthly. Cluster headache: 300mg (three 100mg inj) SC at the onset of the cluster period, then monthly until the end of the cluster period. Children: Not established. |
NOTES | |||||
Key: ODT = orally disintegrating tablets; soln = solution; supp = suppositories; + = scored tablets *contains phenylalanine; †contains caffeine Not an inclusive list of medications, official indications and/or dosages. Please see drug monograph at www.eMPR.com, contact company for full drug labeling and/or consult your healthcare provider. (Rev. 5/2020) |