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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 drugs
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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 you can 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, consult 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.

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Medicines for migraine

Step by step

How to find a pharmacy fast for migraine

Open the interactive map and grant location permission — you'll immediately see pharmacies sorted by distance, each with its opening hours and a one-tap route in Google Maps. If it's night or a weekend, switch on the 24/7 filter to keep only the on-call ones. For migraine most of the listed remedies are over the counter, so you can walk in without a prescription, but check stock and prices on the comparator page first to avoid wasted trips.

If you have a preferred active ingredient (paracetamol, ibuprofen, etc.), search it in the comparator before you leave — you'll see which chain has it cheapest near you and whether it's in stock. For chronic prescriptions, save your favourite pharmacy in the app and turn on hours notifications — it saves unnecessary trips, especially when treatment for migraine runs over weeks.

See also

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Frequently asked

What else do you want 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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