Migraine medications are triptans. Method of application and action features

Migraine is one of the most common diseases that can reduce performance in many patients. About 6% of men and 18% of women suffer from this disease. These numbers are quite large. At the same time, 60% of people who suffer from this disease independently take various analgesics to eliminate pain. As a rule, such actions only aggravate the course of the disease.

Say no to analgesics

Many people who suffer from migraines do not know how to stop attacks, and take painkillers too late. There is very little effect from such therapy. Or he is completely absent. This leads to the fact that the patient begins to gradually increase the dosage of medications. As a result, such actions only increase the risk of kidney damage, the development of gastritis. In some cases, taking analgesics can lead to more serious complications - the occurrence of drug-induced headaches.

That is why if any migraine symptoms occur, you should consult a specialist. Self-medication in this case can only aggravate the patient's condition. At the end of the 19th century, a completely new group of anti-migraine drugs was created - selective agonists of 5 HT 18 / D receptors. Similar substances are derivatives of 5-hydroxytritamine. Their abbreviated name is triptanites. Migraine medications of this generation are much more effective than conventional analgesics. In addition, such funds have become more affordable for all categories of patients.

How do drugs work?

Triptans are the most modern means for treating such an unpleasant ailment as migraine. It is believed that all such drugs act the same. However, only a few of the vast number of triptans help one patient. Therefore, the final choice of such a drug remains exclusively with the patient. To determine the effectiveness of a particular triptan, it is necessary to test the drug during migraine attacks. At least three of them must pass. If the drug helped, then it can be used in the future. Of course, the price of triptan can greatly influence the choice. After all, such drugs are not cheap. In addition, each drug has a specific analgesic effect. In addition, it is worth knowing what triptans exist for migraine, the peculiarity of the action, the methods of their administration and contraindications.

First of all, such drugs affect receptors on the walls of blood vessels. as a result, it causes a narrowing of the dilated cerebral vessels, and also helps to reduce headaches.

Such drugs have a fairly high selectivity. That is why triptans affect the vessels of the hard shell of the brain. This is one of their features. However, they do not affect peripheral and coronary vessels. It is worth noting that triptans are drugs for migraine that block the onset of pain at the level of receptors located in the spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve. Due to this, sensitivity to pain is significantly reduced.

In addition, such drugs can reduce the recurrence rate of the disease, as well as more effectively eliminate related symptoms, such as sound and photophobia, vomiting and nausea.

Triptan action directions

To understand how such drugs work, it is worth highlighting the main:

1. The narrowing of the vessels located in the brain.
2. Anti-inflammatory effect: reduction of edema, which presses on the nerve endings.
3. Oppression of an excited trigeminal nerve and a decrease in its pain sensitivity.

As you can see, migraine triptans are the most effective drugs that can stop the attacks of the disease. The main thing is to choose the right drug

Advantages and disadvantages of triptans

Among the advantages of such drugs, it is worth highlighting the effective elimination of pain and related symptoms, the speed of action. In addition, triptans can be used to treat the disease in different age categories.

Of course, any drug has its drawbacks. Triptans for migraines and headaches help a lot . However, the spectrum of actions of such drugs has not yet been fully studied. Moreover, not everyone is able to take triptans because of their health. It is forbidden to use such drugs for people suffering from coronary heart disease. Those who have blood clots and have malignant hypertension also fall into this category.

First generation

Migraine preparations - triptans - are conditionally divided into several groups. This is the first and second generation. Each drug has its advantages and disadvantages. So, Sumatriptan belongs to the first generation. This is the very first drug. It is almost completely studied and is a kind of standard in the treatment of migraine. 60 thousand people took part in clinical trials. The drug was first discovered by GlaxoSmithKline in 1989.

Basically, "Sumatriptan" is sold in the form of conventional coated tablets and a spray. Each of them acts in the same way. The maximum effect after taking the pills comes after two and a half hours, and the spray - after 90 minutes.

Second generation

Triptans - migraine medications belonging to this group - are numerous. In addition, they are not well understood. They are released in the form of tablets. The most effective include:

1. "Natriptan" - the effect is observed already an hour after administration. Pain is reduced. The maximum effect occurs after a few hours.
2. "Frovatripan" - this drug is slightly weaker, but when it is taken, unpleasant side effects are less pronounced.
3. "Zolmitriptan" - acts after 15 minutes after administration. The maximum effect is achieved in about an hour. This drug is good at the peak of an attack.
4. "Risatriptan" - similar to the first-generation drug, but has a more pronounced effect.
5. “Almotriptan” - this drug surpasses “Sumatriptan” several times in effectiveness. The maximum effect is achieved after 1.5 hours.
6. “Relpax” - this drug is more inventive in terms of effects on the vessels of the brain. Although the characteristics are very similar to Sumatriptan.
   

Migraine medications (triptans): price and recommendations for admission

To make it more clear what medicines exist, we give the table:

Features of the reception

So, what is the best way to take triptans for migraines and headaches? The instruction in this case will help determine the dosage and time of administration. The main thing is to remember that when pain occurs, which gradually increases and does not have a migraine character, there is no point in taking drugs of this kind. In this case, a non-specific analgesic should be taken. It is very important. Usually, triptans should be taken after the end of the aura or no later than two hours after the onset of unpleasant sensations. In addition, in case of migraine, tryptan can be used with other drugs, for example, metoclopramide or domperidone.

As for sprays, they should be used with fairly pronounced attacks of nausea and, of course, vomiting. To eliminate migraine status, you can take Imigran. Triptanitis can be prescribed not only during the development of the disease, but also in the periods between seizures in order to prevent. This is allowed in cases where:

1. The quality of life of the patient has worsened.
2. NSAIDs are very difficult to treat.
3. Migraine attacks occur more than twice every 30 days.
   

How to deal with a headache

To eliminate a migraine attack, you must first try to take 1000 milligrams of acetylsalicylic acid, a sweet drink containing caffeine, or 10 milligrams of Motilium. If after 45 minutes the headache has not disappeared, then you can use a triptan.

It is worth noting that in those situations where for three attacks a nonspecific analgesic did not give the desired result, you can immediately take a remedy for migraine. If an aura has arisen, then it is worth consuming aspirin only after it has begun, and already after the onset of pain, migraine preparations (triptans).

What to do if the pain has returned?

Approximately 50% of patients have a headache return within a few days. Experts recommend in this situation again to take medications for migraine - triptans. In this case, it is worth remembering the maximum daily dose of the medication. It is worth taking the medicine no earlier than two hours after the first tablet. If the headache can be tolerated, then the patient can replace the triptan with a non-specific analgesic.

It is worth noting that the return of unpleasant sensations is often observed in patients with sufficiently long seizures, which can last without taking pain medication for more than 24 hours. Even with the reception of any triptan, the frequency of such phenomena remains almost the same. However, experts believe that the use of Eletriptan and Naratriptan helps reduce the number of new attacks.

If there is no result

There are situations when drugs for migraine (triptans) and nonspecific analgesics do not give the desired result and do not eliminate the pain. In this case, the doctor may prescribe complex therapy, which includes taking anticonvulsant drugs, as well as B-blockers. Such drugs include Nadolol, Acebutalol, Penbutolol, Labetanol, Betaxolol and others.

Side effects of triptans

Such drugs can be taken only 10 days a month. Otherwise, some problems may occur. A more frequent use of triptans can lead to the development of a headache that occurs while taking the drug. In addition, drugs of similar action have side effects, among which:

1. Sensation of warmth and stiffness in the limbs, drowsiness, asthenia, dizziness, impaired sensitivity.
2. Heart attack of the stomach or spleen, ischemic colitis, hemorrhagic diarrhea, dry mouth, pain in the abdomen and nausea.
3. Myalgia and muscle weakness.
4. Coronary spasm, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, tachycardia, heart palpitations.
5. Polyuria and frequent urination.
6. Anaphylactic shock, Quincke's edema, urticaria.

Despite all this, migraine triptans are a quick-acting medicine. If you take the drugs strictly according to the instructions, then there will be no problems. The only tangible drawback of such medicines is the cost. Not everyone can afford to buy such a drug.