Treatment for Migraine - Addictive Drugs

Treatment for migraine is commonly by prescription, but your physician has a choice of prescription medications. You trust your physician, but should that rust be blind faith?

Treatment for migraine differs greatly, it has been found, depending on whether the prescribing physician is a general practitioner or a neurologist. In an early 2007 survey of migraine patients, 20 percent reported that their doctors prescribed potentially addictive medications in their treatment for migraine. Such medications, containing opioids or barbiturates, are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for Migraine Relief.

Many did not know that their treatment for migraine was potentially addictive. The survey mentioned involved 502 patients. Their prescribed treatment for migraine was in the hands of 201 primary care physicians and neurologists. Of the 502 migraine patients, 53 percent were taking triptans as their primary treatment for migraine. However, 20 percent were taking prescribed opioids or barbiturates. The remaining 27 percent were taking other medications.

Who Prescribes Addictive Treatment for Migraine

There are not many physicians who prescribe opioids or barbiturates when they begin treatment for migraine. However, if migraines do not respond, a general practitioner is more likely than a neurologist to prescribe opioids next. While only 7 percent of neurologists in the survey would prescribe addictive drugs, 25 percent of participating general practitioners would do so.

These drugs seem to be an effective short-term treatment for migraine. However, using them long term is not recommended because of addiction / abuse potential. Doctors say that detoxification from over-use may require hospitalization.

Avoiding Addictive Treatment for Migraine

You need to be thoroughly involved in your treatment for migraine if you are to avoid taking potentially addictive drugs. Here are some things you can do.

1. When your headaches are diagnosed as migraine, tell your physician you want treatment for migraine that doesn’t involve prescription drugs.

2. Keep a migraine journal, and try to determine what triggers the migraines. Self-management is a personal treatment for migraine that may help you avoid prescription drugs altogether.

3. Consider trying treatment for migraine that does not involve any kind of drugs: acupuncture, biofeedback, or relaxation training.

4. If the headaches persist, ask your doctor to prescribe the least powerful drug in the first phase of treatment for migraine.

5. Ask questions about any drug that is prescribed. Ask specifically if it is a barbiturate or opioid. Ask if there is a danger of addiction. Ask if the USFDA has approved it as treatment for migraine.

6. If an addictive drug is prescribed, request a different prescription. Research “triptans” and request treatment with such.

7. A physician who prescribes an addictive drug should probably not be giving you treatment for migraine. You may want to seek out a neurologist.

Take charge of your own treatment for migraine, and be sure you are not paying for things you do not need - or should not use.