Migraine Drug Directory

This directory lists the main prescription medicines currently available in Australia for the acute (attack) and preventive treatment of migraine. It is designed to help you understand what options may exist and to make it easier to discuss these treatments with your doctor.

Everyone’s migraine is different, and medicines that work well for one person may not work for another. This list is not a recommendation or substitute for medical advice—it’s a practical starting point to help you and your healthcare provider explore suitable choices based on your symptoms, other health conditions, and preferences.

Click on the headings below to jump to a specific section.

Acute Migraine Treatments

Preventive Migraine Treatments

Medically reviewed by Dr. Emma Foster, October 10, 2025

Acute Migraine Treatments

Generic name	Drug type	Brand examples (Australia)	Key notes
NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofen, naproxen)	Anti-inflammatory pain reliever	Various brands	Often the first treatment used; can be combined with other medicines.
Paracetamol	Pain reliever	Various brands	Suitable when NSAIDs are not appropriate (e.g. pregnancy).
Sumatriptan	Triptan (migraine-specific pain reliever)	Imigran, Chemists’ Own Sumatriptan, generics	Fast-acting migraine-specific option; available from pharmacies in small packs.
Rizatriptan	Triptan	Maxalt, Rixalt	Dissolving tablet available; commonly used for quick relief, available from pharmacies in small packs.
Eletriptan	Triptan	Relpax	Strong triptan; small pharmacist-only packs available.
Zolmitriptan	Triptan	Zomig	Also comes as an orally dissolving tablet.
Naratriptan	Triptan	Naramig	Slower onset but longer-lasting effect.
Rimegepant	CGRP blocker (“gepant”)	Nurtec ODT	Newer migraine-specific medicine for acute attacks; also used for prevention (see below).
Metoclopramide	Antinausea medicine	Maxolon, generics	Commonly used to treat migraine-related nausea.
Domperidone	Antinausea medicine	Motilium, generics	Helps nausea but also has migraine relieving properties; often used with other acute treatments.
Prochlorperazine	Antinausea / anti-vertigo medicine	Stemetil	Useful when nausea or dizziness is prominent.

Preventive Migraine Treatments

Acute treatments are taken during a migraine attack to relieve pain and symptoms once they start. Preventive treatments are taken regularly to help reduce how often and how severely attacks occur. Both approaches can be used together, and finding the right combination often requires some trial and guidance from a doctor. Unfortunately a few of the migraine meds are not safe for pregnancy, some options may ultimately come down to a risk-benefit discussion with the patient and doctor.

Generic name	Drug type	Brand examples (Australia)	Key notes
Propranolol	Beta-blocker (blood-pressure medicine)	Inderal, generics	Long-used first-line preventive.
Metoprolol	Beta-blocker	Betaloc, Lopresor	Alternative beta-blocker option.
Topiramate	Antiepileptic (nerve-stabilising medicine)	Topamax, generics	Effective preventive; start at low dose and increase slowly.
Sodium valproate	Antiepileptic	Epilim, Valpro	Used selectively; avoid during pregnancy.
Amitriptyline	Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)	Endep, generics	Helpful if migraine occurs with sleep issues or tension headache.
Nortriptyline	Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)	Allegron, generics	Alternative to amitriptyline with fewer sedating effects.
Venlafaxine (XR)	Serotonin–noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI antidepressant)	Efexor-XR, generics	Useful when migraine co-exists with anxiety or depression.
Pizotifen	Serotonin-blocking medicine	Sandomigran	Long-used preventive; may cause drowsiness or weight gain.
Candesartan	Angiotensin receptor blocker (blood-pressure medicine; ARB)	Atacand, generics	Well-tolerated option that can help reduce migraine frequency.
Verapamil	Calcium channel blocker (CCB)	Isoptin, generics	Occasionally used for migraine prevention; more commonly used in cluster headache.
Cyproheptadine	Antihistamine / serotonin blocker	Periactin	Older preventive option still used in some people.
OnabotulinumtoxinA	Botulinum toxin (muscle relaxant injection)	Botox	Used for chronic migraine; given by trained doctors every 3 months.
Fremanezumab	CGRP-blocking antibody (monoclonal antibody or “mAb”)	Ajovy	Monthly or 3-monthly injection; PBS-listed for chronic migraine.
Galcanezumab	CGRP-blocking antibody (mAb)	Emgality	Monthly injection; PBS-listed for chronic migraine.
Eptinezumab	CGRP-blocking antibody (mAb, IV infusion)	Vyepti	Intravenous infusion every 3 months; PBS-listed for chronic migraine.
Erenumab	CGRP receptor-blocking antibody (mAb)	Aimovig	Monthly injection; available on private prescription.
Rimegepant	CGRP blocker (“gepant”)	Nurtec ODT	Approved for preventing episodic migraine and treating acute attacks.

If you recognise medicines here that you haven’t tried—or if you’re unsure whether your current plan is working well—it may be worth reviewing your treatment options with your GP or a headache specialist.

Ask about the goals of each medicine, possible side effects, and how to know when it’s time to adjust or combine treatments.

Migraine management is most effective when you and your healthcare provider work together to create a plan that fits your lifestyle and symptoms.