We’ve partnered with Cove, an online migraine clinic, to offer home delivery of prescription medications and ongoing support from medical providers specially trained in migraine care.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Charisse Litchman, MD, FAHS on August 18, 2020
Migraine headaches usually last 4 to 72 hours. When a migraine ends, some people feel tired and “hungover” for another day or two.
There are a number of medications you can take that may shorten the duration of a migraine or stop it entirely. Some medications work better for certain people than others. These medications include:
Over-the-counter painkillers
Prescription anti-inflammatory medication
Prescription triptans: These work by stimulating serotonin (a chemical in the brain), reducing inflammation and narrowing the blood vessels, ultimately stopping the migraine.
Ditans: These newer medications also work by increasing the effects of serotonin.
CGRP blockers: These medications block the chemical CGRP. When released, CGRP causes the release of pain chemicals in the brain, so blocking CGRP causes the migraine to end quickly in most patients.