Klin Farmakol Farm. 2011;25(1):41-44

Treatment of migraine during pregnancy

Jolana Marková¹, Alena Linhartová²

¹ Neurologická klinika FTNsP, Praha

² Nemocniční lékárna FTNsP, Praha

Primary headache disorders, particularly migraine and tension headaches, are very common in women in the childbearing age. The

article deals with a specific situation of women with migraine during the period of pregnancy when the development and progression

of various types of headache disorders is affected by the hormonal situation of the organism.

Most studies as well as the clinical practice confirm that in about 70 % of female migraine sufferers their migraine improves, particularly during

the second and third trimesters. This observation applies to migraine without aura. Women with migraine with aura more frequently suffer

from attacks in pregnancy as well. If the first migraine attack occurs no sooner than during pregnancy, it typically is migraine with aura. In

that case, it is necessary to rule out some of the secondary headache disorders, such as cerebral venous thrombosis, another cerebrovascular

accident or incipient eclampsia. There is no evidence that migraine with aura or without aura has any negative impact on the fetus.

The use of medications in pregnancy always means balancing between benefit and risk; therefore, the administration of each medication

should be considered carefully. Thus, the second part of the article deals with the safety issues of the use of selected medications or

medication groups in treating acute migraine attacks and, partially, with the use of medications in a prophylactic regimen.

Keywords: migraine, pregnancy, acute medications in pregnancy, prophylactic medications in pregnancy

Published: March 18, 2011  Show citation