Using Botox And Other Medicines Designed For Other Ailments In Treating Migraine

Can Botox help prevent migraines?

Botox (botulinum toxin) is a purified protein that belongs to a class of compounds known as neurotoxins that initially approved the US Food & Drug Administration to treat eye muscle disorders known as strabismus and blepharospasm. Since then, obviously, its use has extended to other, more cosmetic uses. Botox weakens or paralyzes (depending on dose) muscles by preventing the release of acetylcholine, a signal that the nerves need to cause muscle contraction. This is the same substance that is produced in spoiled food and causes the illness known as botulism. However, in medical use, the Botox is injected directly into the muscles involved rather than absorbed into the bloodstream, and the doses used are much less than those that cause botulism.

The jury is still out on whether Botox will ever make it into the realm of medical treatment that patients naturally turn to for migraine relief, but if you think that Botox is the only treatment found to help with migraine that was originally created for treatment for another ailment, take a look at this list. Everything on it has been used in migraine relief and everything on it was originally designed for use against something else.

ANTIHYPERTENSIVES (blood pressure meds)Alpha-2 agonists:

Clonidine, aka Catapres

Guanfacine, aka Tenex

ACE Inhibitors:

Benazepril, aka Lotensin

Captopril, aka Capoten

Enalapril, aka Vasotec

Fosinopril, aka Monopril

Lisinopril, aka Zestril, Prinivil

Moexipril, aka Univasc

Perindopril, aka Aceon

Quinapril, aka Accupril

Ramipril, aka Altace

Trandolapril, aka Mavik

Angiotensin II Inhibitors:

Candesartan, aka Atacand

Eprosartan, aka Teveten

Irbesartan, aka Avapro

Losartan, aka Cozaar

Olmesartan, aka Benicar

Telmisartan, aka Midcardis

Valsartan, aka Diovan

Beta Blockers:

Acebutolol, aka Secral

Atenolol, aka Tenormin

Betaxolol, aka Kerlone

Bisoprolol, aka Zebeta, Emconcor

Cartelol, aka Cartrol

Labetalol, aka Normodyne, Trandate

Metoprolol, aka Lopressor

Nadolol, aka Corgard

Penbutololm aka Levatol

Pindolol, aka Visken, Syn-Pindolol

Propranolol, aka Inderal

Timolol, aka Blocadren

Calcium Channel Blockers:

Amlodipine, aka Norvasc

Bepridil, aka Vascor

Diltiazem, aka Cardizem, Tiazac

Felodipine, aka Plendil

Flunarizine, aka Sibelium (Canada)

Isradipine, aka DynaCirc

Nicardipine, aka Cardene

Nifedipine, aka Adalat, Procardia

Nimodipine, aka Nimotop

Nisoldipine, aka Sular

Verapamil, aka Calan, Verelan, Isoptin

Other Antihypertensives:

Guanfacine, aka Tenex

Mirtazapine, aka Remeron

ANTIHISTAMINES:

Cyproheptadine, aka Periactin

Pizotifen, aka Sandomigran (UK)

ANTIDEPRESSANTSTricyclic antidepressants (TCAs):

Amitriptyline, aka Elavil (discontinued), Endep

Amoxapine, aka Asendin

Clomipramine, aka, Anafranil

Desipramine, aka Norpramin

Doxepin, aka Sinequan

Imipramine, aka Norfranil, Tofranil

Nortriptyline, aka Pamelor, Aventyl

Protriptyline, aka Vivactil

Trimipramine, aka Surmontil

MAOI Antidepressants:

Isocarboxazid, aka Marplan

Phenelzine, aka Nardil

Tranylcypromine, aka Parnate

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs):

Citalopram, aka Celexa

Escitalopram oxalate, aka Lexapro

Fluoxetine, aka Prozac

Fluvoxamine, aka Luvox

Paroxetine, aka Paxil

Sertraline, aka Zoloft

Selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs):

Duloxetine hydrochloride, aka Cymbalta

Other Antidepressants:

Bupropion, aka Wellbutrin, Zyban

Mirtazepine, aka Remeron

Trazodone, aka Desyrel

Venlafaxine, aka Effexor, Effexor XR

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder MedsSelective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor:

Atomoxetine HCl, aka Strattera

ARTHRITIS MEDSCox-2 Enzyme Inhibitors:

Celecoxib, aka Celebrex

NEURONAL STABILIZING AGENTS (antiseizure meds)

Carbamazepine, aka Tegretol

Clonazepam, Klonopin

Clorazepate, aka Tranxene

Divalproex, aka Depakote

Gabapentin, aka Neurontin

Levetiracetam, Keppra

Lamotrigine, aka Lamictal

Oxcarbazepine, Trileptal

Tiagabine, aka Gabitril

Topiramate, aka Topamax

Valproate Sodium, aka Depacon

Zonisamide, aka Zonegran

Ergot Alkaloid:

Methylergonovine, aka Methergine (the only ergot used as a preventive)

Leukotriene Blockers:

Montelukast, aka Singulair

Zafirlukast, aka Accolate

Zyleuton, aka Zyflo

Other:

Baclofen, aka Lioresal

Botulinum Toxin Type A, aka Botox

Dietary Supplements:

Coenzyme Q10

Feverfew

Butterbur, aka Petadolex

Magnesium

Vitamin B2

5-HTP (Check carefully with doctor because of interactions with meds including triptans)

Lecithin