Two Medications Treat Migraine Better Than One

A new study that focused on migraine relief found that combination of two commonly used medications could provide faster and long-lasting relief of migraine pain than if either drug would be used alone.

The study investigated the difference between a new combination pill that included sumatriptan (brand name Imitrex) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) and the use of either drug alone or a placebo for moderate to severe migraines.

The combination therapy provided headache relief within two hours for as many as 65% of the study participants and only 28 % of patients who took placebo got any relief. Fifty-five percent reported getting relief from Imitrex alone while 44 % got relief from Aleve.

The study author, neurologist Dr. Jan Lewis Brandes, reported that the superior combination targets more of what's happening in the brain during a migraine attack. Sumatriptan works to constrict the blood vessels and interrupt pain while naproxen works on the inflammatory process.

Although both medications alone have already received government approval, the new combination also needs to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. If approved, the combination will be sold under the brand name Trexima.