Which medication would you administer for abortive treatment of migraines?

Which medication would you administer for abortive treatment of migraines?

• A. Acetaminophen
• B. Sumatriptan
• C. Ibuprofen
• D. Naproxen

Answer: (B)

Abortive treatment aims to stop an ongoing migraine attack, and a medication that directly targets the migraine pathways is often most effective. Sumatriptan is a triptan, a selective agonist of 5-HT1B/1D receptors. By activating these receptors on cranial blood vessels and on nerve endings, it causes vasoconstriction and reduces the release of inflammatory neuropeptides like CGRP, which together lessen headache intensity and associated symptoms. It typically works relatively quickly and is especially helpful for moderate to severe migraines. While acetaminophen and NSAIDs (like ibuprofen or naproxen) can relieve some migraine pain, they are not as consistently effective for acute attacks as sumatriptan, which is why it is the preferred abortive option in many cases. Be mindful of contraindications such as cardiovascular disease or uncontrolled hypertension due to the vasoconstrictive effects, and avoid use with certain other migraine medications.