title: The pharmacology of medications used in treating headache.
abstract: Migraine is a common and disabling disease of uncertain pathogenesis. Research on the trigeminovascular system, serotonin receptors, and substance P have provided clues to improving the pharmacotherapy of this disorder. Selective serotonin agonists, such as sumatriptan, dihydroergotamine, ergotamine tartrate, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), isometheptene mucate, and phenothiazines are useful to treat acute attacks. Prophylactic agents include beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, NSAIDs, antidepressants, and valproate. The addition of several new agents for the acute and prophylactic therapy of migraine has improved the outlook for this debilitating disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Internal Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation 44195, USA.
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Solomon
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018781:Tension-Type Headache / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists