Treatment of Headaches and Migraines in MS – Verywell

For most cases of MS-related headaches, the treatment is the same as it would be in people without MS. However, it's important to see your neurologist, as certain drugs may work better for your headaches, depending on the cause.

It's also possible that some of the medications that you are currently taking for your MS or MS symptoms could be causing the headaches, in which case the doctor may want to alter how you take them, change to another drug, or have ideas on how to cope with this side effect.

In addition, there are some drugs used to treat headaches that have side effects that can make MS symptoms feel worse.

NSAIDs, such as naproxen (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) may help your tension headaches and migraines and are often recommended first, especially for mild pain. Some people cannot take NSAIDs though, so it's important to consult your doctor first, even though many NSAIDs are available over-the-counter.

Some people may require treatment with antidepressants, as depression (a very common MS symptom) has also been associated with migraines in people with and without MS. Depression and migraines are both linked to low serotonin levels. Examples of antidepressants sometimes used to treat both depression and migraines include:

Triptans are used to treat moderate to severe migraines in people with and without MS. They bind to serotonin receptors in the brain, which works by blocking certain pain pathways and narrowing blood vessels. Sumatriptan (Imitrex) was the first drug specifically developed to treat migraines. Related medications include rizatriptan (Maxalt), naratriptan (Amerge), zolmitriptan (Zomig), almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova) and eletriptan (Relpax).

If your headache is related to an MS relapse, like when a lesionon an MRIcorrelates with the area of head pain, or when a person is having a bout of optic neuritis, a course of Solu-Medrol may be effective in resolving the symptoms.

Treating your headaches and migraines may require a bit more thought than someone who does not have MS -- and this is okay. There are excellent headache therapies out there so you can get relief and get on with your day.

Sources:

Gentile S, Ferrero M, Vaula G, Rainero I, Pinessi L. Cluster headache attacks and multiple sclerosis. J Headache Pain. 2007 Sep;8(4):245-7.

Gilmore B, Michael M. Treatment of Acute Migraine Headache.Am FamPhysician. 2011 Feb 1;83(3):271-280.

Pllmann W, Feneberg W. Current management of pain associated with multiple sclerosis. CNS Drugs. 2008;22(4):291-324.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this site is for informational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for personal care by a licensed physician. Please see your doctor for advice, diagnosis, and treatment of any concerning symptoms or medical condition.

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Treatment of Headaches and Migraines in MS - Verywell