A neurological condition causing severe throbbing headache, usually one-sided, with nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Debilitating but manageable with correct treatment.
Act at the first warning signs. Migraine is much easier to treat at the earliest stage — waiting until pain is severe makes medication far less effective.
Take pain medication immediately at the first sign of migraine — ibuprofen 400 to 600mg or paracetamol 1000mg. Take with a small amount of food and water.
Move to a dark, quiet room immediately. Light and sound dramatically worsen migraine and prolong the attack.
Lie down with eyes closed. Sleep is one of the most effective treatments for migraine — many attacks resolve completely with sleep.
Apply a cold compress to the forehead or back of the neck.
Stay hydrated — dehydration triggers and worsens migraines. Sip water consistently even if nauseous.
If nausea or vomiting prevents taking tablets: prochlorperazine (Stemetil) dissolves under the tongue and controls nausea, allowing other medication to be taken.
Identify your triggers over time: common triggers include skipped meals, dehydration, poor sleep, stress, strong smells, bright lights, and certain foods such as aged cheese, red wine, and processed meat.
Rest for at least 1 to 2 hours after the headache resolves — the post-migraine phase causes fatigue and sensitivity even after the pain is gone.
Thunderclap headache — sudden maximum severity within seconds — not migraine, emergency.
Headache with fever, stiff neck, or rash.
Headache with confusion, weakness, or slurred speech — possible stroke.
Migraine lasting more than 72 hours (status migrainosus).
Significant change in usual migraine pattern.
First ever migraine in someone over 40.
Do not take pain medication more than 3 days per week for migraine — causes medication overuse headache which is harder to treat.
A headache described as the worst headache of your life coming on suddenly is not migraine — it is an emergency.
Do not drive or operate machinery during a migraine.
Migraine with aura (visual disturbances before the headache) combined with oral contraceptive pill use increases stroke risk — discuss with a doctor.
✓ What Helps
· Ibuprofen 600mg taken at first sign of attack — most effective OTC treatment
· Paracetamol 1000mg as alternative
· Prochlorperazine 5mg buccal tablet (dissolves under tongue) for nausea
· Aspirin 900mg is effective for migraine in adults who are not children
✗ What To Avoid
· Taking pain medication more than 3 days per week
· Bright screens and lights during attack
· Known personal triggers
→ Ask The Pharmacist For
· Sumatriptan 50mg — prescription triptan specifically for migraine, most effective treatment
· Preventive medication such as propranolol or amitriptyline if migraines are frequent
· Neurologist referral for frequent or complex migraines
🏥 Get Professional Help
Go to hospital immediately for any sudden severe headache unlike previous headaches, headache with fever and stiff neck, or headache with neurological symptoms. See a doctor if migraines are occurring more than twice per month, lasting more than 72 hours, or not responding to medication.