"Research published earlier this summer confirmed what many women have been telling their doctors for years: That migraines seem to get worse in the years before and during menopause. The findings, published by doctors from the University of Cincinnati, found that migraine headaches increased by 50-60% in the years surrounding menopause. Recently Dr. Stewart Tepper of the Cleveland Clinic, who was not involved with this study, walked me through the current treatment options for migraine," says host Barbara Lewis.
There are currently four FDA-approved drugs for migraine prevention, according to Dr. Stewart Tepper: Topamax, Depakote, Inderal and Blocadren.
"There's good evidence for other beta-blockers and pretty good evidence for another kind of blood-pressure lowering medicine called Candesartan that went generic last year, and for the antidepressant Effexor or Venlafaxine," says Dr. Tepper. "In addition, some of the supplements actually have pretty good evidence for effectiveness."
Botox is another option for those who suffer from frequent migraines, says Dr. Tepper.
“If people have really frequent migraines, more than 15 headache days per month, Botox is FDA-approved for chronic migraines... For people who are more impaired by their migraines.”
