Treatments for chronic migraine focus on easing symptoms during a migraine episode and preventing episodes from occurring. They include a variety of medications and complementary strategies.

Chronic migraine can be a debilitating disorder that affects your quality of life. Understanding your treatment options may help you find relief from migraine symptoms.

Chronic migraine is when headaches occur at least 15 days in one month, with at least 8 qualifying as migraines.

A migraine may last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours, and the pain can be moderate to severe.

Other symptoms can also occur during a migraine, like nausea or sensitivity to light and sound.

Types of chronic migraine treatment

Medications for chronic migraine are divided into acute and preventive treatments.

Acute treatments are intended to provide immediate relief from migraine symptoms. Preventive treatments are designed to help prevent a migraine from occurring.

Along with medications, there are also complementary treatments and therapies to help manage migraine symptoms.

Acute treatments are medications you take at the first sign of migraine. They may offer pain relief during a migraine episode and typically work best when taken at the onset of symptoms.

Common medications for acute migraine treatment include:

  • Triptans: Triptans are often a preferred treatment for migraine. They work by imitating some actions of serotonin and constricting blood vessels throughout the body, which helps reduce pain. However, because triptans constrict blood vessels, they may not be recommended for people with certain risk factors.
  • Ditans: These medications work similarly to triptans. However, because they don’t cause blood vessels to constrict, they may be safer for people with cardiovascular issues. Ditans can cause sedation, so driving is not advised for up to 8 hours after taking these medications.
  • Ergotamines: These medications bind to serotonin receptors and reduce the transmission of pain messages. They are most effective when taken at the onset of a migraine episode.
  • Analgesics: These include over-the-counter (OTC) pain-relieving drugs like acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, and ibuprofen.
  • Gepants: These medications block the action of a protein that carries pain signals linked to migraine. They are typically taken orally. Examples of gepants include ubrogepant and rimegepant.

Preventive medications for chronic migraine are intended to stop migraine from occurring in the first place.

Your doctor may recommend preventive medication if your headaches occur more than 4 days per month accompanied by severe side effects.

Preventive migraine medications include:

  • Beta-blockers: Beta-blockers help treat high blood pressure but can also be effective for migraine.
  • Anticonvulsants: These medications were developed to treat epilepsy but may also help prevent different types of headaches, including migraine.
  • Anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies: Similar to gepants, these medications work by blocking receptors in your brain linked to migraine pain.
  • OnabotulinumtoxinA (BoNT-A): Also known as botox, this injected medication is effective at preventing migraine. It is thought that BoNT-A works by inhibiting the release of several neurotransmitters associated with migraine.
  • Antidepressants: These work by helping to balance chemicals in the brain related to migraine, like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.

Some preventive migraine treatments may take 2 to 3 months before they are effective.

Your doctor may also recommend taking preventive migraine medication for up to a year. This can depend on factors like your migraine history and how well you respond to medication.

Along with prescription medications, complementary treatments like therapies and lifestyle approaches may helpTrusted Source relieve chronic migraine symptoms. Examples include:

  • aerobic exercise
  • biofeedback
  • relaxation training
  • acupuncture
  • dietary supplements like vitamin B2, magnesium, coenzyme Q10, and butterbur

Lifestyle approaches like getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, and limiting caffeine may also help relieve migraine symptoms.

Chronic migraine treatment involves relieving symptoms during migraine episodes and preventing episodes from occurring.

Medications along with complementary therapies may be effective at treating and preventing migraine.

Talk with your doctor if you experience symptoms of chronic migraine. They can recommend the best treatment options for your condition.