What is zolmitriptan, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Zolmitriptan is a drug for treating migraine headaches. Migraine headaches are believed to result from dilation of the blood vessels in the brain. Zolmitriptan causes constriction of the blood vessels and thereby relieves the pain of a migraine headache. While zolmitriptan is very effective …
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What is eletriptan, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Eletriptan is an oral drug that is used for treating migraine headaches. It is in the "triptan" class of drugs that also includes sumatriptan (Imitrex), zolmitriptan (Zomig), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), almotriptan (Axert), and frovatriptan (Frova). Migraine headaches are believed to be the result of abnormal activity in the …
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What is sumatriptan? What are the uses for sumatriptan? Sumatriptan is a drug that is used for treating migraine headaches. It belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin receptor agonists. Other members of this class include naratriptan (Amerge), zolmitriptan (Zomig), rizatriptan (Maxalt), frovatriptan (Frova), eletriptan (Relpax), and almotriptan (Axert). Migraine headaches are believed to result from dilatation of …
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What is indomethacin? How is indomethacin used? Indomethacin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that reduces fever, pain and inflammation. It is similar to ibuprofen (Motrin) and naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve). Indomethacin works by reducing the production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are chemicals that the body produces and which cause the fever and pain that are associated with inflammation. Indomethacin blocks the …
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What is aspirin? How does it work (mechanism of action)? Aspirin is a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) effective in treating fever, pain, and inflammation in the body. It also prevents blood clots (i.e., is antithrombotic). As a group, NSAIDs are non-narcotic relievers of mild to moderate pain of many causes, including headaches, injury, menstrual cramps, arthritis, and other musculoskeletal conditions. …
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What is naproxen, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Naproxen belongs to a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Other members of this class include ibuprofen (Motrin), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen) and several others. These drugs are used for the management of mild to moderate pain, fever, and inflammation. They work by reducing the levels of …
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What is narcotic analgesic-apap-caffeine-butalbital-oral, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Butalbital/acetaminophen/caffeine is a combination product used for treating headache. Butalbital is a narcotic that depresses the central nervous system. Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer. It is the active compound in Tylenol. Acetaminophen relieves pain by elevating the pain threshold, that is, by requiring a greater …
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What is erenumab (Aimovig)? How does it work (mechanism of action)? Erenumab (Aimovig) is a new medication used for preventing migraine attacks. It received the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval on May 17, 2018. It belongs to a new class of drugs called calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor (CGRP-R) antagonist. CGRP-R is a chemical produced by the body that acts …
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What is feverfew (tanacetum parthenium)-oral, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Tanacetum parthenium is an herb. The leaves are used as a natural herbal supplement. Tanacetum parthenium contains parthenolide, which works on serotonin receptors in the brain, giving relief from migraine headaches. Tanacetum parthenium is also believed to have anti-inflammatory, pain relieving, and anti-histamine effects. Check with your …
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