Oxford study reveals top migraine treatments for 89,000 participants

A significant study conducted by the University of Oxford involved over 89,000 participants and focused on the effectiveness of various medications for treating acute migraines. The research, published in The British Medical Journal, evaluated 17 different oral medications, revealing that triptans, a class of drugs, were the most effective. Among these, eletriptan was identified as the top choice for pain relief within two hours, followed closely by rizatriptan, sumatriptan, and zolmitriptan. The study also highlighted that both eletriptan and ibuprofen provided effective pain relief for up to 24 hours. Newer medications like lasmiditan, rimegepant, and ubrogepant were assessed but did not match the efficacy of triptans. The lead author, Andrea Cipriani, emphasized the importance of triptans, noting that they are underutilized despite their effectiveness. The findings suggest a need for a more tailored approach to migraine treatment, which could influence future clinical guidelines. The Migraine Trust estimates that around 10 million individuals in the UK suffer from migraines, which can cause debilitating symptoms such as severe headaches, nausea, and sensitivity to light. While triptans are beneficial for many, some patients may not respond to them or may experience adverse effects, particularly those with cardiovascular issues. The study underscores the necessity for healthcare providers to consider a range of treatment options to ensure optimal care for migraine sufferers.