How can I use nortriptylin for migraines?
Nortriptylin is a drug belonging to a family known as tricyclics, used to treat migraines, as well as depression and other mood disorders. Doctors sometimes recommend this medicine for these headaches, although the drug is not specially designed for this use. For this purpose, there is little research on the efficacy of nortriptylin, but it is chemically similar to another drug, amitriptylin, which is more often reduced to reduce migraine headaches. For this reason, preventive treatment can be considered. A medical expert can determine whether the mechanism of the effect of this drug to a particular individual will benefit from other medicines on migraine. There are a number of options and should be considered carefully, along with possible side effects and interactions with other patient medicines. This drug indirectly increases the action of neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine, which in turn will limitis blood vessels. The expansion blood vessels in the head are associated with migraines, so maintaining the narrowing can help reduce the frequency with which migraines occur.
Limited research on nortriptylin for migraines suggests that it may not be as effective as amitriptyline or other drugs. A study involving patients taking 20 milligrams (mg) daily found that this medicine did not reduce the frequency of migraine for most patients. However, a combination of nortriptylin with 40 mg propranolol, blood pressure treatment, but some patients provided relief from migraine.
vestibular migraines, subtyte headaches can cause symptoms except pain such as dizziness. A study involving patients taking nortriptylin for migraines of this type showed some relief from symptoms. Approximately 46 percent of patients taking this medicine have seen a decrease in dizziness, not if in pain. Use of another medicine, topiramate, with nortrIptylin, led to greater alleviation of symptoms.
Individuals starting at Nortriptylin regime to treat their migraine headaches should be aware of the possible side effects of this drug. Adverse effects usually include nausea, gastrointestinal anxiety and occasionally reflective headaches, although none of these effects is serious and often disappears after days of treatment. Medical assistance should be required if there is more serious side effects such as suicidal thoughts, confusion or heart rate changes. However, most patients tolerate this medicine well.