Abortive headache medications


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Abortive headache medications


Abortive medications work by narrowing (constricting) blood vessels in the brain. They are used to stop severe headaches, such as migraines or cluster headaches, from getting worse as symptoms emerge.

Examples of abortive headache medications are triptans (such as Imitrex or Amerge) and ergotamines (such as Ercaf, Cafergot, or Migranal).

Credits


Author Monica Rhodes
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology
Last Updated July 3, 2007

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Last updated: July 03, 2007
Author: Monica Rhodes
Reviewed By: Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology
Editors: Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC

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