Migraine therapy during pregnancy and lactation.
BACKGROUND
Migraine affects about 25% of women during childbearing years but few data are available about the risks connected with most antimigraine drugs during pregnancy.


METHODS
In this report, we review the available data, mainly obtained from published studies, toxicology databases and clinical guidelines, on migraine treatment during pregnancy and lactation.


RESULTS
The following drugs should be preferred for the treatment of acute migraine attacks in pregnant women: paracetamol, NSAIDs and sumatriptan. Migraine prophylaxis should be undertaken when patients experience at least three prolonged severe attacks a month that are particularly incapacitating or unresponsive to symptomatic therapy and likely to result in complications. Non-pharmacologic approaches should be preferred, but if they are not effective, preventive treatment should include low doses of β-blockers and amitriptyline.


CONCLUSIONS
Migraine treatment is often necessary because maternal and fetal risks related to acute attacks may be more harmful than the therapy itself, especially if they are frequent, severe and associated with nausea, anorexia, vomiting, hypotension or dehydration. If non-pharmacologic treatments do not alleviate migraine symptoms, only few drugs can be used during pregnancy and lactation.
Cassina
Matteo
M
University of Padova, Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Genetics Unit, via Giustiniani 3, Padua, Italy.
Di Gianantonio
Elena
E
Toldo
Irene
I
Battistella
Pier Antonio
PA
Clementi
Maurizio
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000187:drug effects*; D014363:Tryptamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000932:Antiemetics; D014363:Tryptamines