TriptansTriptans are a group of drugs designed to reduce the pain of a migraine attack. They act on 5HT1B and 5HT1D receptors There are several in use:
These drugs are best taken as soon you feel that a bad migraine is on its way and before your head gets sore to touch or severely painful. The main side-effect are a crushing or constricting sensation around the chest or throat, which can be very frightening. This class of drug should not be given to people who are or might be pregnant, or to people with known heart diseases like angina or previous myocardial infarction (heart attacks)- there are 5HT1B receptors in coronary blood vessels. The drugs can be administered by tablet (swallowed), nasal spray, subcutaneous injection or by a tablet or wafer that melts on the tongue. Frovatriptan (Trademark Migard) has recently been studied in menstrual migraine, and is very effective if given for two days before anticipated period and for up to 5 days after the start of the period.
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