Whoever said that medications were the best approach to chronic migraine pain must have not done their homework. Prescription medications have been known to help ease migraine pain, but they are more commonly known for their adverse side effects. One medication that is often prescribed for migraine sufferers is triptan.
Triptans are a collection of tryptamine-based drugs. Tryptamine is a monoamine alkaloid that can be found in certain vegetation such as plants, fungi and animals. Triptans are used as a tool to prevent migraines from being successful in completely immobilizing an individual. Triptans consist of:
- Sumatriptan (Imitrex, Imigran, Cinie, Illument, Migriptan)
- Rizatriptan (Maxalt),
- Naratriptan (Amerge, Naramig)
- Zolmitriptan (Zomig)
- Eletriptan (Relpax)
- Elmotriptan (Axert, Almogran)
- Frovatriptan (Frova, Migard, Frovamig)
- Avitriptan
Because of triptans unique ability to attach to the serotonin receptors on the blood vessels and the surrounding nerves, they can help reduce and in some cases completely stop migraine headaches from occurring. We mentioned several triptans and you might be feeling somewhat overwhelmed and unsure as to which one is worth speaking to your doctor about. The most commonly used triptan and the one with the longest use history would be Sumatriptan. Sumatriptan can be taken orally, by injection or through inhalation.
Doctors will not go around prescribing triptans for everyone complaining that they suffer from migraines. Triptans are typically only prescribed to migraine sufferers that experience moderate to severe migraine pain and even then other forms of migraine treatment will be discussed and ruled out before a doctor will recommend or suggest a triptan.
Benefits Of Use
If used correctly, Triptans will reduce the amount of pain felt and increase in its effectiveness. Triptans should be administered when the early signs and symptoms of a migraine begin to be felt. Taking one after the pain has settled in will reduce the effectiveness and increase the chances for side effects as well as a migraine relapse.
The Down Side
Triptans have been useful in the treatment of migraine pain, however there are a few risks involved that those considering treating their migraines with triptans ought to be aware of. The most common side effects associated with triptans are but not limited to:
- Drowsiness
- Facial Reddening
- Fatigue
- Tightening In The Chest
- Tightening In The Throat
- Dizziness
The role Triptans play in releasing migraine pain is due to the affect triptans have on the restriction of blood vessels or the narrowing of them to prevent them from enlarging and creating migraine pain. Though narrowing is part of their job, it can also have a reverse effect by not only narrowing the arteries in the head but also create a narrowing of the arteries in the heart. This becomes increasingly dangerous for those individuals that have already experienced some form of coronary narrowing. The narrowing caused by the triptans could lead to further narrowing resulting in a heart attack or stroke.
Even if you consider yourself a healthy individual, be aware that if your doctor is considering prescribing triptans to help with your migraine pain he or she might prescribe a full body evaluation first in order to insure that everything is ok physically before he or she gives a green light on using triptans.
Tags: chronic migraines, migraine headaches, Migraine Support Formula, Prescription medication, preventative migraine treatment
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