What are triptans for migraines?

The year 1993 ushered in a new era of headache treatment with the release of sumatriptan (Imitrex). This medication revolutionized the treatment of migraine. Subsequently, six more medications similar to sumatriptan, called triptans, were released. Triptans are generally quite effective and very well tolerated, especially if taken early in an attack. There are several differences among the individual triptan therapies, with some providing more rapid onset of relief and others having fewer side effects. Four in five migraine sufferers obtain relief from a triptan. If one doesn't work, be sure to try a least two others before deciding that triptans don't work for you.

Although there is no cure for migraines, there are effective ways to manage the pain. Prescription triptans, for example, provide major relief to many migraine sufferers. In fact, most migraine sufferers, when treated with triptans early in an attack, are able to resume normal activities within a couple of hours. Triptans aren't for everyone, though, and may not be helpful in treating certain types of migraines. So work with your doctor to find a migraine management plan that's right for you.

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Drug developers created triptan drugs in an effort to make a "cleaner" ergot; that is, a medication that worked similarly but caused fewer side effects. The first of these, sumatriptan (Imitrex), was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1991.

First available only by injection, triptans are now available as pills, melt-in-the-mouth tablets, and nasal sprays. These drugs relieve pain far faster than ergots, with improvements within five minutes and complete relief within one to two hours. Experts now believe that triptans may also temper inflammation as well as constrict blood vessels.