Migraine medication during breastfeeding

A migraine is a headache that occurs at irregular intervals. During breastfeeding, it is generally safe to use medication to treat the symptoms caused by a migraine. The typical symptoms of a migraine are a one-sided, throbbing, pounding or stabbing headache. A migraine is often also associated with symptoms such as a loss of appetite, nausea, and noise and light sensitivity. Physical activity generally worsens migraine symptoms. Patients need to be careful when using medication to treat a migraine while breastfeeding because not all migraine medicines are safe to take during breastfeeding.

Causes of migraines

The exact causes of migraines are unknown. It is believed that inflamed blood vessels in the brain may have a part to play. Another potential underlying factor is the way in which the brain processes pain signals. In people who are prone to migraines, triggers may include an irregular sleeping pattern, an irregular daily routine, hormonal changes, stress, certain foods and changes in the weather.

Migraine medication during breastfeeding

During breastfeeding, it is generally safe to use medication to treat the typical symptoms of a migraine. Migraines can be treated using a range of different medications or active ingredients. You may have questions about how safe these medications are while breastfeeding:

• Ibuprofen (Aktren, Dolormin, etc.), acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin, Dolomo, Neuralgin, Godamed, Melabon, Excedrin Kopfschmerz und Migräne Headache and Migraine), ketoprofen (Gabrilen), naproxen (Dolormin, Naproxen InfectoPharm), diclofenac (Voltaren)
• Paracetamol (Ben-u-ron, Migränerton)
• Metamizole (Analgin)
• Etoricoxib (Arcoxia), celecoxib (Celebrex)
• Almotriptan (Almogran, Dolortriptan for migraines), eletriptan (Relpax), naratriptan (Naramig, Naratriptan-Ratiopharm), sumatriptan (Imigran, Sumatriptan-Ratiopharm), rizatriptan (Maxalt), zolmitriptan (AscoTop)
• Ergotamine (Erfgo-Kranit)
• Clostridium botulinum toxin (Botox)
• Erenumab (Aimovig), galcanezumab (Emgality)
• Flunarizine (Flunarizin acis)
• Metoprolol (Beloc-Zok), amitriptyline (Saroten), topiramate (Topamax)
• Homeopathic medicines, e.g. Antimigren, Dolfin, Migräne-Echtroplex, Migräne Gastreu

Risks of migraine medication during breastfeeding

Taking migraine medication while breastfeeding may cause various side effects, such as fatigue, dizziness and tightness in the chest. It is extremely important to choose the right migraine medication while breastfeeding. This is because with certain medicines, such as naratriptan, it is unknown whether the medicine is passed on to the baby through the breast milk and whether this may cause the breastfed infant to experience symptoms. There are, however, some medicines that can be taken while breastfeeding, making them the preferred treatment option.

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