What is a Migraine Cocktail? How to Use It and More
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Summary
- A migraine cocktail is a combination of drugs that can be given through an IV or taken orally to relieve the symptoms of a migraine headache.
- You can make a migraine cocktail at home using OTC medications or have a doctor administer it.
- While there is no definitive cure for migraines, there are ways to manage the symptoms.
- An OTC migraine cocktail can be made with three simple ingredients, namely aspirin, acetaminophen, and caffeine.
According to the American Migraine Institution, around 39 million Americans struggle with migraines. The number is believed to be much higher, though, as many people don’t get diagnosed or treated for migraines.
Research from the last two decades estimates that the economic burden of workdays lost due to migraines is around $13 billion in the U.S.
Employees miss on average 4.4 work days due to migraine attacks, while businesses lose 11.4 days each year because of reduced productivity.
People aged 20-50 are most likely to experience migraine headaches, and women are three times more likely to be affected by the condition than men.
Medications used to treat migraines include anti-inflammatories, triptans, and antiemetics, among others.
In this article, we'll take a look at migraines, their symptoms, and how they can be treated and prevented. We’ll also explain what a migraine cocktail is and how it can be prepared.
What is a Migraine Cocktail?
Despite its deceptive name, a migraine cocktail is not a delightful drink you can order at the bar to banish a migraine. A migraine cocktail is a mixture of medications that work together to relieve severe migraine symptoms.
Migraine cocktails are frequently administered by doctors in hospital settings — usually through the vein via an intravenous (IV) drip — but they can also be made at home using OTC medications.
How Do I Know if I Have a Migraine?
A migraine is often thought of as a severe headache, but migraine headaches can be accompanied by a variety of other symptoms as well.
Migraines may also occur in stages. For example, some people may experience severe food cravings or thirst, or visual disturbances — such as black dots and blurred vision — followed by a headache that worsens during physical activity. The final stage may include tiredness or muscle weakness.
Migraine symptoms
Some common migraine symptoms may include:
- A severe, pulsing, or throbbing sensation — typically on one side of the head and it may occur on either side
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Sensitivity to sound (hyperacusis)
If you experience any of the above symptoms alongside your headache, you may require migraine treatment.
Key Point: What is Chronic Migraine?
A person is diagnosed with chronic migraine if they experience migraine headaches for 15 or more days per month.
A migraine is the most common cause of a disabling headache; however, if you are experiencing constant migraines, always speak to your doctor to rule out any potentially life-threatening conditions.
How Do I Treat Severe Migraine Symptoms?
A migraine attack can strike at any time, and you may not have the necessary medication at hand. In a case like this, there are some simple things you can do to help relieve migraine pain.
Keep in mind that it’s always best to seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist to properly manage a severe migraine.
The following steps can be followed as part of an effective treatment plan for migraine headaches:
- Find a quiet place away from light where you can relax
- Use hot and cold packs to relieve tension
- Take a warm shower or bath
- Consume a caffeinated beverage
- Take a break from your current activity and do something relaxing
Key Point: How Much Caffeine Do I Need to Treat a Migraine?
You may be surprised to learn that caffeine can be used in the treatment of severe migraines, as too much of it is often said to be the cause of a migraine or headache.
According to the American Migraine Foundation, excess caffeine can lead to medication-overuse headaches or rebound headaches. However, low doses of caffeine can help relieve some headaches.
The amount of caffeine needed by each person may differ depending on their tolerance, but over-the-counter caffeine (OTC) — such as pills — can be helpful in the management of migraines.
Caffeine doses of 130 mg can also improve the effectiveness of other migraine medications.
If the steps mentioned above don’t relieve your migraine pain, you may need something stronger.
Severe migraine attacks that can’t be eased by taking OTC migraine medications may require a migraine cocktail. These can be made at home, using medicine you can find at a drugstore.
What Are the Ingredients of a Migraine Cocktail?
When patients turn up in the ER for treatment of a severe migraine, a combination of the following drugs may be prepared and administered by a healthcare professional.
It can take up to 60 minutes before a migraine cocktail begins to relieve migraine symptoms.
The exact proportions of the “cocktail” will depend on the severity of the migraine and the individual having the migraine attack.
Triptans
Triptan medications are used as first-line treatment for both moderate and severe migraines. The earlier this drug is administered, the more effective it will be in fighting migraine symptoms.
Some examples of triptan medications include:
- Eletriptan
- Almotriptan
- Sumatriptan
- Zolmitriptan
Antiemetics
Antiemetic medications are typically given via injections and are used to treat nausea associated with migraines.
Sedation is one of the side effects of antiemetics.
Some examples of antiemetic medications include:
- Droperidol
- Metoclopramide
- Prochlorperazine
Ergot alkaloids
Ergot alkaloids function similarly to triptan medications, but may cause nausea in some patients. Triptans tend to work more quickly and have fewer side effects.
Some examples of ergot alkaloids include:
- Dihydroergotamine
- Ergotamine
NSAIDs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a good first-line treatment for mild or moderate migraines.
OTC medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen are some good options.
IV fluids
If dehydration has triggered a migraine attack, IV fluids can be used to treat it. IV fluid treatment is especially useful if someone is experiencing vomiting as a migraine symptom.
IV valproic acid
Considered a seizure medication, valproic acid can also be used to treat migraine symptoms.
IV steroids
Steroids, such as intravenous corticosteroids, can be used to treat migraines and are very useful for drug-overuse headaches.
IV magnesium
Intravenous magnesium sulfate can reduce acute migraine headaches within 15-45 minutes of being administered. Oral magnesium can also be used.
Key Point: When Would I Need a Migraine Cocktail?
A migraine cocktail is used to treat migraine symptoms that do not respond to medication or resolve within 72 hours.
Migraine cocktails are typically administered as an infusion through an IV. This is usually done at an emergency room or an outpatient infusion center by a health care practitioner, such as a nurse or doctor.
Migraine cocktails can also be made at home using OTC medications.
Side Effects of a Migraine Cocktail
A migraine cocktail can be a very effective remedy for treating migraine pain, but there are some side effects you should keep in mind.
When a migraine cocktail is administered in a hospital, medical personnel will be available to check up on you. However, if you’ve made your own OTC migraine cocktail, notify your doctor immediately if your side effects are severe or get progressively worse.
The potential side effects of taking a migraine cocktail include:
- Digestive issues, such as diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting
- Sleep disturbances
- Abdominal pain
- Dizziness or medication-overuse headaches
The OTC Migraine Cocktail
If you experience a severe migraine attack and you’re unable to go to the hospital for treatment, you can make your own migraine cocktail at home.
You may have most of the ingredients in your medicine cabinet, but you can find all of them at your local drugstore.
How do I prepare an at-home migraine cocktail?
A migraine cocktail can be made at home using a combination of the following ingredients:
- Aspirin (250 mg)
- Acetaminophen (250 mg)
- Caffeine (65 mg which is about 5.5 ounces of brewed coffee)
When taken together, this combination of medications can help relieve a severe headache.
Key Point: What Kind of Coffee Should I Use?
It is important to note that caffeine may be a migraine trigger for some people. In addition, not all coffees are created equally.
Some types of coffee — especially rich Robusta beans — contain around 265 mg of caffeine in an 8-ounce cup.
Too much caffeine in your migraine cocktail could make your symptoms worse.
Arabica beans contain about 25% less caffeine than bitter Robusta beans — so opt for these to be safe, and always double-check the caffeine content before you prepare your migraine cocktail.
Are Migraine Cocktails Safe?
Though there are side effects, migraine cocktails are generally safe — especially if you go to the hospital for migraine treatment where doctors can monitor you and treat any bad reactions, should they arise.
If you experience worsening side effects after taking medication for your migraine headache, contact your doctor or emergency services immediately.
While there is no definitive cure for a migraine, you may be able to minimize the frequency of migraine attacks and reduce the severity of migraine symptoms by taking a holistic approach to migraine prevention.
Lifestyle changes
By making some simple changes to your lifestyle, you can help prevent a migraine attack or lessen its duration.
Some long-term changes that will help you manage migraine symptoms while improving your overall health, include:
- Reducing stress
- Building good sleeping habits
- Quitting smoking
- Keeping a migraine diary to track your triggers
- Maintaining a good posture
Practicing relaxation techniques
Stress is a known trigger of severe headaches and migraines, so any activity that relaxes the body and mind may benefit those who experience regular migraine attacks.
Some relaxing practices you may want to try, include:
- Meditation
- Breathing exercises
- Yoga or light stretching
- Listening to calming music
Getting regular exercise
Exercising combats stress, which is one of the main triggers of migraines. In addition, it also improves sleep quality and lifts your mood.
Alternative therapy
If migraine cocktails don’t sound too appealing, there are some alternative migraine treatments you can try, including:
- Acupuncture
- Botox injections
- Massage therapy
- Daith piercings (piercing a ridge of cartilage — called the helix — above your ear canal to target a pressure point that relieves headaches).
How to Prevent Migraine Attacks
Some great ways to help prevent migraines include:
- Living a healthy, balanced lifestyle where stress is managed properly
- Prioritizing relaxation
- Regularly getting a good night’s rest
- Eating a balanced diet
- Getting regular exercise
- Keeping a migraine diary to identify your triggers
When Should I See a Doctor for Migraines?
If you experience severe migraine headaches, with symptoms that do not disappear within 72 hours after you’ve taken a migraine cocktail or OTC medication, you should contact a doctor.
You may require migraine therapy — which can be a combination of drugs delivered via an IV infusion to relieve the most severe symptoms of your migraine.
A doctor will also be able to run tests to rule out any life-threatening conditions that may be causing your headache, such as a cancer or stroke.
Where Can I Learn More About Migraine Management?
Do you get frequent headaches that just don’t let up no matter what medication you take? You may be one of the millions of Americans affected by migraines. But help is available at LifeMD. Schedule a video appointment with a board-certified doctor or nurse practitioner so you can start managing your migraines.
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