Now, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first drug that can do both.
On May 27, the FDAextended this approvalfor use in preventing migraines.
“It gives patients a lot of flexibility.”
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Using Nurtec ODT to Treat Migraines
Migraines are a neurological condition, not just a bad headache.
The only condition more disabling than migraine is back pain.
When migraines occur more than 15 times in a month, they’re considered chronic.
If a person is treating a current migraine, they should take Nurtec ODT once a day.
As prevention, people should take it once a day every other day, Diamond says.
Side effects of the medication include:
The drug is available only by prescription.
In addition to medications, there arenerve stimulating devicesthat help relieve pain.
Many of these newer treatments were created specifically for migraines and not just for headaches in general.
Like Nurtec ODT, they have very few side effects, she says.
Often, patients can predict when they are about to have a migraine, Diamond says.
In that case, they can take medication or use a nerve stimulating gear in advance.
Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle can also trigger migraines in women who experience them.
The goal is no disability.
Migraine Research Foundation.Migraine facts.
