The medications used to treat migraines fall into two categories: pain relievers that relieve the pain of a migraine after it occurs, and preventative medications that help prevent migraines from occurring in the first place.

Pain-relieving medications include:

• Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These drugs include ibuprofen and aspirin and can be taken to help ease moderate migraine pain. Some brands are now available in a special migraine formula that includes a small amount of caffeine to help speed relief.
• Triptans: These drugs were specifically developed to treat migraines and can provide relief from severe migraine pain. They can also help relieve the nausea and sensitivity to light and sound that often occur with migraines. Examples include Sumatriptan (Imitrex), naratriptan (Amerge), zolmitriptan (Zomig), and eletriptan (Relpax). These drugs can have serious side effects and so the directions on the prescription should be followed precisely.
• Ergots: These medications are derived from a fungus that grows on grasses. They have been around for many years and were the drug of choice for migraines before the development of triptans. Ergotamine (Ergomar) and dihydroergotamine are still used to treat migraines because they are cheap and can be more effective in some patients.  Ergots, however, must be prescribed with great care because if they are taken in doses larger than those prescribed, they can cause very serious side effects.
• Butalbital combinations: These medications combine the sedative butalbital with aspirin or acetaminophen and are sometimes used to treat migraine attacks.
• Opiates: Narcotic medications such as codeine may be prescribed to relieve the pain of a migraine in cases where triptans and ergots cannot be used (e.g. during pregnancy). Because of the potential for abuse, these drugs are usually used as a last resort.
• Anti-nausea medication: These medications can alleviate the nausea that often accompanies migraines. Commonly prescribed medications are metoclopramide and prochlorperazine.

Preventative medications taken regularly can help reduce the frequency of migraines and can shorten the duration and lessen the severity of those that do occur. For most people, migraines still occur even when taking these medications. Preventative medications include:

• Drugs to treat cardiovascular disease: Several drugs that are commonly taken by people with heart and blood vessel problems can also help prevent migraines. Beta blockers and calcium channel blockers, drugs used to treat high blood pressure, can reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. It is unclear exactly why these drugs work to prevent migraines.   
• Antidepressants: The tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline (Pamelor) can be very effective at preventing migraines. Newer generation antidepressants do not seem to work as well.
• Anti-seizure drugs: Some drugs that are used to help prevent seizures also prevent migraines. Examples include divalproex sodium (Depakote), topiramate (Topamax), and Gabapentin (Neurontin).