Migraine

Candesartan, aka Atacand
Eprosartan, aka Teveten
Irbesartan, aka Avapro
Losartan, aka Cozaar
Olmesartan, aka Benicar
Telmisartan, aka Midcardis
Valsartan, aka Diovan

Are these medications relatively new as migraine preventives? I've only read about one of these (Atacand), and it sounded as though it may have less side effects than some of the other preventives.

Any thoughts? I previously asked my neurologist's nurse about Atacand, and she said she'd never heard of it.

Thanks So Much,

Sandi

I found one in our files:

Avapro

Found another:

Cozaar

And this one

Benicar

Micardis

These seem to be blood pressure meds. For those that I didn't find, you can search yourself on our main web page:

Health Central

Hi Sandi,

These medications are used to treat high blood pressure and can be used as Migraine preventives as well. While they are not approved for Migraine prevention, they are used off-label by many people with good results.

There are only four drugs approved by the FDA for Migraine prevention: Depakote, Inderal, Blocadren and Topamax.

If you haven't seen this article, Migraine Preventive Medications - Too Many Options To Give Up! you may be surprised to see the number of Migraine preventives there are!

Hi Sandi,

I'll be adding Atacand to my preventive regimen in about a week. I currently take Effexor XR and nortriptyline (and various supplements). I was having some trouble with the nortriptyline, so I'm delaying my start of the Atacand a little--I'd rather move too slowly than too quickly!

My HA specialist said they commonly use Atacand and similar meds for mig prevention. He said side effects are always possible, but they do not seem to be too terrible on it.

I'll keep you posted when I start it!

jenny