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Migraine — what to take?

A migraine is not an ordinary headache — it is a neurological disorder with recurrent attacks lasting 4-72h, throbbing pain, nausea, and photophobia. It affects about 15% of adults and is 3 times more common in women.

Also known as: migraines migraine attack throbbing headache
4 recommended OTC medicines
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In short: A migraine is not just an ordinary headache, but a neurological condition with recurrent throbbing attacks lasting 4-72 hours, accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light. For mild to moderate attacks, over-the-counter options include anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen or naproxen, paracetamol with caffeine, or magnesium used for prevention. On HartaFarmacii you can compare the price of these OTC options across the major pharmacies (Dr. Max, Tei, Catena, HelpNet), with prices updated daily. This information is for guidance only and does not replace medical advice; see a doctor if you have an attack that differs from your usual ones in location or intensity.

Data verified on from public sources (OpenStreetMap, chain websites, ANM/MS) — updated daily.

OTC — no prescription

What can you take for migraine?

Informational only — HartaFarmacii is not an approved medical site. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine. Don't self-medicate. Emergencies: 112.

When to see a doctor

If any of these signs appear, see a doctor — OTC treatment is not enough:

  • An attack that is different from the usual ones (location, intensity)
  • An aura that lasts more than 1h or has motor symptoms
  • An attack with fever, confusion, neck stiffness
  • More than 15 days with migraine per month (chronification)
  • OTC treatment no longer works

The phases of a migraine attack

A typical attack has four phases. The prodrome appears hours or a day before: fatigue, frequent yawning, sugar cravings, irritability. The aura (in only ~25% of patients) lasts 20-60 minutes with visual phenomena (flashes of light, blind spots) or sensory symptoms.

The pain itself lasts 4-72h, is moderate to severe in intensity, throbbing, one-sided, and worsened by exertion. It is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and phonophobia. The postdrome (migraine hangover) lasts another 24-48h with a feeling of tiredness and a heavy head.

OTC medicines for a migraine attack

For mild to moderate attacks, ibuprofen 400-600 mg taken quickly at the onset of the pain is effective. Naproxen 550 mg has a longer duration. Combinations of paracetamol + aspirin + caffeine are also OTC and useful in some patients.

Antiemetics (metoclopramide) help with nausea and increase the absorption of the painkiller, but require a prescription. For severe attacks, triptans (sumatriptan, rizatriptan) are a specific treatment but are Rx.

Tricks that increase effectiveness

  • Take the medicine within the first 30 minutes — if you wait, the response is much weaker.
  • A dark room, absolute quiet, a cold compress on the forehead.
  • If you have vomited, repeat the dose after 30 min (or use the effervescent form/suppository).
  • Avoid alcohol and screen light until complete remission.

Common triggers

Stress, lack of sleep or too much sleep, hormonal changes (menstruation), foods (red wine, aged cheese, chocolate, nitrites), dehydration, sudden weather changes, flickering lights. An attack diary kept over 2-3 months reveals your patterns.

Preventive treatment

If you have 4+ attacks per month or attacks lasting 24h+, ask your doctor about preventive treatment: beta-blockers (propranolol), antiepileptics (topiramate), antidepressants (amitriptyline), or anti-CGRP monoclonals (erenumab, fremanezumab). Magnesium 400-600 mg/day and riboflavin 400 mg/day have evidence for prophylaxis.

Medical disclaimer: the information in this guide is for informational purposes and does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist. For diagnosis and treatment, consult a health professional.

Medicines compared

Medicines used for migraine

This list is for guidance only, generated automatically from the DCI/category match. It is not a medical recommendation — consult your doctor before starting any treatment.

This list is not a medical recommendation. Consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Night-time, weekends, public holidays

24/7 pharmacies for migraine

Migraine doesn't keep office hours. If you need a medicine at 2 a.m. or at the weekend, open the map with the 24/7 filter switched on and look for the nearest on-duty pharmacy. Large cities have dozens of pharmacies open around the clock — below you have direct access to the list for each city, with address, phone number and verified opening hours.

Call before you set off, especially at night — on-duty rotas change and stock of some prescription medicines can be limited between deliveries.

Search the pharmacy

Medicine categories for migraine

Step by step

How to find a pharmacy fast for migraine

Open the interactive map and allow location access — you will immediately see pharmacies sorted by distance, each with its opening hours and a one-tap route in Google Maps. If it is night or the weekend, switch on the 24/7 filter to keep only the on-duty ones. For migraine many medicines are available over the counter, so you can go straight to the pharmacy without a prescription, but check availability on the price comparator first to avoid wasted trips.

If you have a preferred active substance (for example paracetamol or ibuprofen), search for it in the comparator before you leave — you will see which chain has it cheapest near you and whether it is in stock. If you have a repeat prescription, save your preferred pharmacy as a favourite in the app and turn on opening-hours notifications — it saves unnecessary trips, especially if treatment for migraine goes on for a while.

See also

Related symptoms and conditions

Symptom

Headache

Headache (cephalalgia) is one of the most common symptoms — almost all adults experience it at least once a year. Most episodes resolve with rest and an OTC painkiller, but a few warning signs should send you to a doctor quickly.

 Symptom

Nausea

Nausea is the sensation of impending vomiting. Causes: gastroenteritis, migraine, pregnancy, motion sickness, medications, reflux, anxiety, vestibular disorders.

 Symptom

Vomiting

Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of gastric contents. The main risk is dehydration. In children and the elderly, it progresses more rapidly.

 Symptom

Fatigue

Fatigue is a persistent lack of energy, beyond what is normal after exertion. Causes range from lack of sleep to anemia, hypothyroidism, diabetes, depression, and chronic illnesses.

 Condition

Depression

Depression is a mood disorder with a persistent sad mood, loss of interest, and changes in sleep/appetite/energy. It affects 15-20% of the population over their lifetime. It requires medical treatment.

 Condition

Anxiety disorders

Anxiety disorders include: GAD (generalized anxiety disorder), panic disorder, social phobia, agoraphobia, specific phobias, PTSD, OCD. They affect 15-20% of people over the course of their lifetime.

Frequently asked questions

What else would you like to know?

How do I tell a migraine apart from a tension headache?
A migraine is throbbing, one-sided, severe, with nausea and photophobia, and worsened by exertion. A tension headache is bilateral, pressure-like, mild to moderate, without nausea.
Can I prevent a migraine?
Yes — identify the triggers with a diary, maintain a regular sleep schedule, stay hydrated, avoid trigger foods. At 4+ attacks per month, your doctor may prescribe preventive medication (propranolol, topiramate, anti-CGRP).
Does magnesium help with migraine?
Yes, there is evidence for 400-600 mg of magnesium/day as prophylaxis, especially in menstrual migraine. The effect appears after 8-12 weeks of continuous use.
Is it normal to have nausea with a migraine?
Yes, nausea and vomiting are part of the attack in most patients. An antiemetic (metoclopramide) before the painkiller increases the effectiveness of the treatment.

See also

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