Migraine Meds: What Works, What Doesn't, and What to Try Next

When you're stuck in a migraine, a severe, often disabling headache that can last hours or days, usually with nausea, light sensitivity, and sometimes visual disturbances. Also known as cluster headache or neurovascular headache, it's not just a bad headache—it's a neurological event that disrupts your life. Most people start with over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, but if those don't cut it, you're probably looking at triptans, a class of prescription drugs designed specifically to reverse the brain changes that trigger migraines. Common ones include rizatriptan, sumatriptan, and eletriptan. These aren't just stronger painkillers—they work by narrowing blood vessels in the brain and blocking pain signals. But they don't work for everyone, and some people can't use them at all if they have heart issues or high blood pressure.

That’s where things get real. If triptans fail or cause side effects, you might need to try other migraine treatment, options that target different parts of the migraine process, from inflammation to nerve signaling. Some people find relief with NSAIDs like naproxen, others with anti-nausea meds like metoclopramide, or even older drugs like ketorolac (Toradol) used off-label. Non-drug options like nerve stimulators or biofeedback are also gaining traction, especially for people tired of pills or who get migraines too often for daily meds. The key is finding your personal trigger-and-treatment map. What works for your friend might do nothing for you, and that’s normal. Migraines vary wildly in cause, intensity, and response.

You’ll find a lot of guides here that cut through the noise. We’ve compared Maxalt (rizatriptan) to other triptans, looked at how Toradol stacks up against standard pain relievers, and even dug into how non-drug methods can help when pills fall short. No theory, no fluff—just real comparisons based on what people actually experience. Whether you’ve tried three meds and quit, or you’re just starting out, this collection gives you the facts you need to make smarter choices. You’re not alone in this. Thousands of people are searching for the same thing: relief that actually lasts.