Prescription Nausea Medications for Migraines
Updated September 26, 2013.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
Nausea is a common symptom that can accompany migraine headaches. For many people this can be one of the most debilitating parts of the episode. Besides treating the headache pain, it is sometimes necessary to treat the nausea at the same time. Below is a list of some common prescription medications that can be used for treating nausea. As with all medical treatments, consult your health care practitioner to determine the best treatment for you.
Brand Name: Reglan.This medication is available as a tablet, liquid, or solution for injection. Major side effects include uncontrollable muscle movement, palpitations, fatigue, and diarrhea.
Brand Name: Phenergan. This medication is available as tablet, liquid, solution for injection, or suppository. It is an antihistamine and major side effects include dizziness, gastrointestinal upset, muscle or facial twitches, and sleep disturbances.
Brand Name: Compazine. This medication is available as a tablet or suppository. Major side effects include allergic reactions, blurred vision, confusion, dizziness, muscle or facial twitches, fatigue, and sleep disturbances.
Brand Name: Zofran. This medication is available as a tablet, dissolving oral tablet, liquid, and injection. It has been used for nausea during chemotherapy and after surgery. Major side effects include allergic reactions, breathing problems, irregular heartbeat, fever and chills, bowel changes, dizziness, or headache.
Sources:
Auckerman G. Management of the acute migraine headache. Am Fam Physician. 2002 Dec 1;66(11):2123-30.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
Nausea is a common symptom that can accompany migraine headaches. For many people this can be one of the most debilitating parts of the episode. Besides treating the headache pain, it is sometimes necessary to treat the nausea at the same time. Below is a list of some common prescription medications that can be used for treating nausea. As with all medical treatments, consult your health care practitioner to determine the best treatment for you.
1. Metoclopramide
Brand Name: Reglan.This medication is available as a tablet, liquid, or solution for injection. Major side effects include uncontrollable muscle movement, palpitations, fatigue, and diarrhea.
2. Promethazine
Brand Name: Phenergan. This medication is available as tablet, liquid, solution for injection, or suppository. It is an antihistamine and major side effects include dizziness, gastrointestinal upset, muscle or facial twitches, and sleep disturbances.
3. Prochlorperazine
Brand Name: Compazine. This medication is available as a tablet or suppository. Major side effects include allergic reactions, blurred vision, confusion, dizziness, muscle or facial twitches, fatigue, and sleep disturbances.
4. Ondansetron
Brand Name: Zofran. This medication is available as a tablet, dissolving oral tablet, liquid, and injection. It has been used for nausea during chemotherapy and after surgery. Major side effects include allergic reactions, breathing problems, irregular heartbeat, fever and chills, bowel changes, dizziness, or headache.
Sources:
Auckerman G. Management of the acute migraine headache. Am Fam Physician. 2002 Dec 1;66(11):2123-30.
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