doctors familiar with the treatment of migraine headaches should prescribe preventive medications. decisions about which preventive medication to use are based on the side effects of the medication and the medical conditions that the patient may have. propranolol (inderal) often is used first provided that the patient does not have asthma copd or heart disease. amitriptyline (elavil endep) also is used commonly. preventive medications are begun at low doses and gradually increased to higher doses if needed. this minimizes side effects from the medications. preventive medications are to be taken daily for months to years. when they are stopped the dose needs to be gradually reduced rather than abruptly stopped. abruptly stopping preventive medications can lead to headaches. in some instances more than one drug may be needed. nonmedication and behavioral therapies also may be needed.
what is the proper way to use preventive medications for migraines?