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Reglan (Metoclopramide) For Migraines: An Emergency Abortive Therapy

Reglan (Metoclopramide) is a medication approved by the FDA for the treatment of gastroparesis or delayed stomach emptying.  Gastroparesis often occurs as a result of conditions such as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and diabetes, but is also sometimes experienced by patients following surgery (post-operative).  Assuming an individual postpones treatment of ongoing gastroparesis, stomach acid can …

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Topamax (Topiramate) For Migraines: An Effective Prophylactic?

Topamax (Topiramate) is an anticonvulsant agent discovered in 1979 by Bruce Maryanoff and Joseph Gardocki while working for McNeil Pharmaceutical (a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson).  When compared to other anticonvulsant agents, Topamax is regarded as unique in that it is pharmacologically classified as a sulfamate-substituted monosaccharide derivative, indicating that its chemical structure is similar …

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Magnesium For Migraines: An Intervention To Consider

Migraines are characterized as excruciatingly painful headaches commonly accompanied by symptoms of nausea and/or sensory hypersensitivity (such as to light or sound).  A small percentage of individuals with migraines are able to prevent future migraine attacks with strategic lifestyle changes such as: reducing stress, adhering to a strict sleep schedule, and/or dietary adjustments.  However, many …

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Maxalt (Rizatriptan) Side Effects & Adverse Reactions (List)

Maxalt (Rizatriptan) is a pharmaceutical medication engineered by Merck & Co. for the treatment of migraine headaches (with or without aura).  It received FDA approval in 1998 as an abortive antimigraine intervention and is chemically classified as a second-generation triptan (tryptamine-based).  Analogous to other triptans, Rizatriptan remains ineffective as a migraine prophylactic, however, it is …

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Relpax (Eletriptan) Side Effects & Adverse Reactions (List)

Relpax (Eletriptan) is a medication manufactured by Pfizer Inc. for the acute treatment of migraine headaches (with or without aura) in adults.  It was initially approved by the FDA in 2002 and is regarded as a highly effective abortive agent, engineered to attenuate already-occurring migraine attacks.  Chemically, Relpax is classified as a second generation triptan …

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Nortriptyline For Migraines: An Alternative Prophylactic

Nortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) that was initially FDA approved in 1964 (under the brand name “Pamelor”) for the treatment of major depression.  It is regarded as chemical successor to Amitriptyline based on the fact that Nortriptyline is Amitriptyline’s predominant psychoactive metabolite.  Since Nortriptyline has been on the market since the mid-1960s, researchers are …

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Amitriptyline For Migraines: An Effective Prophylactic Agent

Amitriptyline (brand name “Elavil”) is a medication that was initially approved by the FDA in 1961 for the treatment of major depressive disorder.  Due to its three-ring chemical structure, it is formally classified as a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA).  Though not formally approved in the United States to treat conditions other than major depression, Amitriptyline is …

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