Contributor: Jorge Chalit, OMS II
Educational Pearls:
Migraine pathophysiology
Primarily mediated through the trigeminovascular system
Serotonin, dopamine, and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)
Trigeminovascular system is linked to the trigeminal nucleus caudalis, which relays pain to the hypothalamus and cerebral cortex
One effective treatment for acute migraines is -triptan medications
5-HT1D/1B agonists such as sumatriptan
Often combined with NSAIDs and dopamine antagonists (as antiemetics) in migraine cocktails
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) was shown to be ineffective in a randomized controlled trial comparing it with placebo and a dopamine antagonist antiemetic.
The -triptan medications carry significant risk for peripheral vasoconstriction and are therefore avoided in cardiovascular disease
One serotonin agonist specifically approved for use in vascular disease
Lasmiditan - 5-HT1F agonist
Slightly different mechanism of action avoids peripheral vasoconstriction
CGRP antagonists are also used in patients who are unresponsive to -triptans
References
1. Friedman WB, Cabral L, Adewunmi V, et al. Diphenhydramine as adjuvant therapy for acute migraine. An ED-based randomized clinical trial. Ann Emerg Med. 2016;67(1):32-39.e3. doi:doi:10.1016/j.annemergmed.2015.07.495
2. Lasmiditan (Reyvow) and ubrogepant (Ubrelvy) for acute treatment of migraine. (2020). The Medical letter on drugs and therapeutics, 62(1593), 35–39.
3. Robbins MS. Diagnosis and Management of Headache: A Review. JAMA - J Am Med Assoc. 2021;325(18):1874-1885. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.1640
4. Vanderpluym JH, Halker Singh RB, Urtecho M, et al. Acute Treatments for Episodic Migraine in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA - J Am Med Assoc. 2021;325(23):2357-2369. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.7939
Summarized by Jorge Chalit, OMSII | Edited by Meg Joyce & Jorge Chalit, OMSII