Abortive medications are taken to terminate an acute migraine attack. They are not necessarily pain-killers (analgesics), although ending the migraine attack has the effect of stopping the pain. Most abortive drugs are specifically anti-migraine agents. They are most suitable for patients who have attacks once a week or less often. Many of them can cause problems if over used, and patients with very frequent attacks should be considered for prophylactic therapy.

  • Ergotamines

  • Dihydroergotamine (DHE-45)
  • Midrin
  • Sumatriptan (Imitrex)

Other abortive agents sometimes used are:

  • Corticosteroids

  • Antiemetics (anti-nausea drugs).
  • Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)

Analgesics can also be useful as abortive drugs, provided they are not overused.