The most commonly used preventive drugs used to avoid or reduce the frequency of migraine attacks include:

• Beta-blockers
• Tricyclic antidepressants
• Anti-seizure medications

Remember, as you try to find the medication that works best for you, it's important to taper off rather than stopping suddenly.

Rescue Medications

Sometimes, despite your best efforts at prevention, you still get a bad headache. That's when you need to reach for your "rescue medicines." These painkillers and nausea medications can reduce the symptoms of migraine pain once it has started. Prevention is always the goal, but it also pays to be prepared. Once a bad migraine is too far underway, it is hard to stop. You may just have to ride it out, like a rollercoaster ride, and be better prepared next time.

Generally, if you have more than three to four severe headaches per month that don't get better without medication, you need to consider making some changes. These may include life style changes (managing stress, being more physically active, stopping smoking) or taking a migraine prevention medicine. You can try these changes along with rescue medications to treat a headache in case it happens anyway.

If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, rescue medications may not be a good choice for you. You may want to consider relaxation techniques instead. Be sure to talk to your Ob-Gyn physician if you are pregnant or might be pregnant before taking any medications.