Treat Migraene: from triptans to cannabis therapy

Migraene is a neurological disease characterized by recurring, often one-sided, pulsating headaches. In Germany, about 10 to 15 percent of the devotion to Migraene suffers, women suffer about three times more than men.

A migraine attack typically takes 4 to 72 hours and is often accompanied by sacrificiality, vomiting, light and laerm sensitivity. Approximately one third of those affected also experience an aura: previous neurological symptoms such as vision, tinglingling or speech styling that precede the headache.

The excavators (triggers) are individually different: stress, sleep disturbances, hormonal fluctuations, certain foods or weather changes can cause an attack. A Migraene diary helps to identify and reduce future attacks.

In an acute migraine attack, various drugs are available:

Simple painkillers: In the case of light to medium-heavy analphales, receptor-free painkillers such as ibuprofen (400 to 600 mg), ASS (1000 mg) or paracetamol (1000 mg) can be sufficient. They should be taken fruity, best in combination with an antiemetic such as metoclopramide that improves absorption.

Triptane: Triptans are the most effective medicines for medium-heavy to heavy attacks. They act specifically on the serotonin receptors in the brain and relieve both headache and accompanying symptoms. Gaengy active ingredients are sumatriptan (also without prescription in low dosage), rizatriptan, olemitriptan and almotriptan.

Important for triptans: They should not be taken during aura, but only when the headache is inserted. Triptans should be used per month on not more than 10 days to avoid a drug use headache.

Preventive therapy may be useful in the case of haeufigent migraene attacks (more than three per month) or particularly severe therapies:

Classical prophylaxis: Betablockers (Metoprolol, Propranolol), anticonvulsants (Topiramat, Valproinsaeure), antidepressants (Amitriptylin) and calcium channel blockers (fluorinary) are orphaned options. They must be taken at once and need a few weeks before the full effect occurs.

CGRP-Antikoerper: A newer drug class that specifically blocks the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which plays a central role in the development of migraine. Praeparate such as Erenumab, Fremanezumab and Galcanezumab are administered as monthly injections and are well trusted. You will be reimbursed by the sickness funds if other prophylaxis have failed.

Non-medical measures: Endurance sports, relaxation processes (progressive muscle relaxation), biofeedback and acupuncture have proved to be an exhilarating measure. They can reduce the incidence rate by 30 to 50 percent.

Medical cannabis is increasingly being discussed as an exhilarating option for chronic migraine. The study situation is still limited, but first results indicate a potential effectiveness:

Cannabinoids can have a pain-relieving effect on the endocannabinoid system. Some patients report a reduction in seizure frequency and difficulty under cannabis therapy.

Important to know: Cannabis is not a first line therapy for Migraene. It is appropriate if conventional treatments are not sufficiently effective or are not tolerated. The prescription is done by a doctor and requires an individual benefit-risk weighing.

Particularly CBD (cannabidiol) is discussed as a result of its anti-release properties without a psychoactive effect. However, the evidence is not sufficient to make a general recommendation.

Many Migraene medications are subject to prescription, including hoeher-dosed triptans, prophylaxis medications and cannabis perfumes. Through telemedical platforms, you can get a prescription if the treating doctor appropriately cures the treatment.

The procedure: You will describe your migraenesymptome, frequency of seizure, previous treatments and pre-disorders in a structured questionnaire. The doctor assesses whether a drug-toesis therapy is displayed and which Praeparat is best suited.

In the case of first-time migraine diagnosis or complex agglomerations, a persensual neurological examination is recommended to exclude other headaches. However, telemedicine is a convenient and time-saving alternative for known migraenes.