Home > Uses of Ibuprofen: Migraine

Migraine
Migraine is a very particular type of headache, often associated with systemic feelings of illness, that affects a large percentage of the world’s population.

There are many types of headache so, to be clear about what migraine is, a definition has been agreed by the International Headache Society.

Symptoms of Migraine
Sufferers usually experience recurrent episodic moderate or severe headaches (which may be unilateral and/or throbbing). About 20% of people have an aura before the headache starts. The headache can last from several hours for up to 3 days and may be accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or vomiting. During an attack, sufferers report a need to rest quietly, often avoiding light and loud sounds. They do not have symptoms between migraine attacks. In about 20% of sufferers, migraine attacks may be triggered by foods (cheese, chocolate), stress or menstruation.

The cause of migraine is still uncertain. Current evidence suggests that dilatation of the blood vessels around the brain is likely to be important. The mechanism of action of ibuprofen in relieving migraine headache is also unclear but is most likely related to inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis in the CNS.

British Association for the Study of Headache (BASH)
Guidelines for the management of migraine and the recommendations for drug treatment are available at:
http://www.bash.org.uk

Related Information

'Ibuprofen for the treatment of acute migraine' - IIF Briefing Paper: April 2008
Definition of migraine
Summary of clinical trial of ibuprofen in the treatment of migraine
Burden of Migraine in the US: Disability and Economic Costs