Most migraine attacks can be managed at home with rest in a quiet, dark room and over-the-counter pain relievers, especially when taken early in an attack. There's no cure, so treatment focuses on relieving symptoms during an attack and, for frequent or severe migraines, prescription medicines to stop attacks fast or prevent them.
Available without a prescription — follow each label.
Advil, Motrin NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) | A first-line OTC option for mild-to-moderate migraine; works best taken as early in the attack as possible. Can irritate the stomach and kidneys, so take with food and don't exceed label limits. |
Aleve NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) | Another NSAID listed by MedlinePlus for migraine; longer-acting than ibuprofen. Same stomach and kidney cautions apply. |
Bayer NSAID / salicylate | An OTC pain reliever MedlinePlus lists for mild migraine. Not for children or teens (risk of Reye's syndrome) and can upset the stomach. |
Tylenol Analgesic (non-NSAID pain reliever) | A good choice if you can't take NSAIDs (e.g. stomach or kidney concerns). Stay within the daily limit on the label — too much can cause serious liver damage. |
A doctor may prescribe these — not for self-treatment.
Imitrex Triptan | A doctor may prescribe a triptan — the medicines most often used for migraine attacks when OTC painkillers aren't enough. Available as tablets, nasal sprays, and injections; works best taken at the first sign of an attack. |
rimegepant Nurtec ODT Gepant (CGRP receptor antagonist) | A doctor may prescribe a gepant to stop an attack, and some gepants are also used to help prevent attacks in people with frequent migraine. |
propranolol Inderal Beta blocker (preventive) | For frequent migraines, a doctor may prescribe a daily preventive such as a beta blocker, an antidepressant, or an anti-seizure medicine to reduce how often attacks happen. |
erenumab Aimovig CGRP monoclonal antibody (preventive) | For people with frequent or hard-to-treat migraine, a doctor may prescribe a CGRP antibody, usually a monthly injection, to prevent attacks. Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections are another preventive option for chronic migraine (15+ headache days a month). |
Start simple: take an OTC pain reliever — an NSAID like ibuprofen or naproxen, or acetaminophen if NSAIDs don't suit you — as soon as an attack begins, and rest in a quiet, dark room with a cool compress. The single most important rule is to limit how often you use these: the NHS advises no more than two days a week and MedlinePlus no more than three, because frequent painkiller use can cause "rebound" (medication-overuse) headaches that make migraine harder to treat. If OTC medicines aren't controlling attacks, you get migraines more than once a week, or your attacks are severe, see a doctor — prescription options like triptans or gepants treat individual attacks, while daily preventives (beta blockers, certain antidepressants, anti-seizure drugs, or CGRP medicines) can reduce how often they strike.
Call 911 / go to the ER for emergency signs: the worst headache of your life or a sudden, extremely severe ("thunderclap") headache; weakness or numbness on one side of the body; trouble speaking, loss of vision or double vision, confusion, drowsiness, or loss of balance (especially if new); a seizure; a very high fever with a stiff neck or rash; or a headache after a recent head injury. Seek urgent care if an attack lasts longer than 72 hours, aura symptoms persist beyond an hour, or you're pregnant or recently gave birth. See a doctor (non-urgently) if attacks are getting more severe or frequent, you're having migraines more than once a week, OTC medicines aren't working or you're using them more than 2–3 days a week, your usual headache pattern changes, headaches worsen when lying down, or you have migraines while taking estrogen-containing birth control.
General reference, not medical advice, and not a substitute for your doctor or pharmacist. The right choice depends on your symptoms, health conditions, age, and other medicines — always read each label and confirm before taking anything.