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. 2008 Jul;33(7):404–416.

Table 1.

Medications Used in the Abortive Management of Migraine

ASA, numerous generics 650–1,000 mg q 4–6 hours (maximum 4,000 mg daily)
APAP (e.g., Tylenol) 325–1,000 mg q 4–6 hours (maximum 4,000 mg daily)		 Some combination OTC products

  • Anacin (ASA) 400 mg, caffeine 32 mg)

  • Bayer Extra Strength (APAP 500 mg, caffeine 32.5 mg)

  • Excedrin Extra Strength and Excedrin Migraine* (APAP 250 mg, ASA 250 mg, caffeine 65 mg)

  • Vanquish (APAP 194 mg, ASA 227 mg, caffeine 33 mg)
Barbiturate combinations*

  • Butalbital and ASA/caffeine (Fiorinal) 1–2 tablets q 4–6 hours (also available with codeine)

  • Butalbital and APAP/caffeine (Fioricet) 1–2 tablets q 4–6 hours (also available with codeine)

Restrict use to avoid rebound; 4 tablets daily; not more than 2 days per week		 Serotonin receptor agonists (triptans)

  • Sumatriptan (Imitrex) Intranasal, Oral, SQ

  • Rizatriptan (Maxalt) Oral, MLT (dissolving product)

  • Zolmitriptan (Zomig) Oral, ZMT (dissolving product), Nasal

  • Naratriptan (Amerge) Oral

  • Almotriptan (Axert) Oral

  • Frovatriptan (Frova) Oral

  • Eletriptan (Relpax) Oral
Opiate combinations*

  • Propoxyphene with APAP (Darvocet)

  • Codeine with APAP (Tylenol #3)

  • Oxycodone with APAP or ASA (Percocet, Percodan)

  • Butorphanol nasal spray (Stadol) one spray in one nostril (1 mg); may repeat in 1 hour; maximum four sprays daily

 Ergot alkaloids

  • Dihydroergotamine mesylate (DHE) injection/1 mg/mL Nasal Spray (Migranol)

  • Ergotamine tartrate (numerous brands with various contents, including belladonna alkaloids, caffeine, and phenobarbital)
NSAIDs
  • Ibuprofen 200–400 mg q 4–6 hours (maximum 1,200 mg daily OTC)
    • Advil Migraine Liqui-Gels
    • Advil Migraine

  • Naproxen sodium 220 mg q 6–8 hours (maximum 660 mg daily), OTC Aleve

  • Numerous other products: diclofenac potassium (Cataflam), ketorolac (Toradol)

 Sympathomimetics*

  • Isometheptene 65 mg, dichloralphenazone 100 mg, APAP 325 mg (Midrin)
Phenothiazines: prochlorperazine (Compazine), chlorpromazine (Thorazine), metoclopramide (Reglan) Anticonvulsants: IV valproate (Depacon)

APAP = acetaminophen; ASA = aspirin; IV = intravenous; NSAID = nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug; OTC = over the counter; SQ = subcutaneous.

*

Regular weekly usage requires medical evaluation and determining the need for preventative therapy.

Adapted from references 10, 36, 41, 42, and 46.