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Antidepressants for Preventive Treatment of Migraine

  • Headache (JR Couch, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Treatment Options in Neurology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of review

This review describes the pharmacology of each antidepressant class as it applies to migraine prevention, summarizes the evidence base for each medication, and describes relevant side effects and clinical considerations. Use of antidepressants for migraine prevention in clinical practice is also discussed.

Recent findings

Antidepressants are commonly used as migraine preventives. Amitriptyline has the best evidence for use in migraine prevention. Nortriptyline is an alternative in patients who may not tolerate amitriptyline. The sedating effect of TCAs can be beneficial for patients with comorbid insomnia. SNRIs including venlafaxine and duloxetine also have evidence for efficacy and may be the most effective treatments in patients with comorbid depression and migraine. SSRIs including fluoxetine are not effective for most patients. The side effect burden of antidepressants can be substantial. Patients should be particularly counseled about the possibility of a withdrawal effect from SNRIs.

Summary

Antidepressants are an important option for preventive treatment of migraine. Further research on the efficacy and tolerability of SNRIs as migraine preventives is needed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. John R. Graham Headache Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, 1153 Centre St Suite 4H, Boston, 02130, USA

    Rebecca Burch MD

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Correspondence to Rebecca Burch MD.

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Key Points

• Drugs with combined serotonergic and noradrenergic effects have better anti-nociceptive efficacy than drugs that affect serotonin alone.

• Amitriptyline has the best evidence for use in migraine prevention, with level B evidence in multiple treatment guidelines. Nortriptyline is the most common alternative TCA.

• The sedating effect of TCAs can be beneficial for patients with comorbid insomnia.

• SNRIs including venlafaxine and duloxetine also have good evidence for efficacy and may be the most effective treatments in patients with comorbid depression and migraine. Patients should be counseled about the possibility of a withdrawal effect from SNRIs.

• SSRIs including fluoxetine are not effective for most patients and are infrequently used.

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Burch, R. Antidepressants for Preventive Treatment of Migraine. Curr Treat Options Neurol 21, 18 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11940-019-0557-2

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