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Can Botox Help Prevent Migraines?

Botox (botulinum toxin) is a purified protein that belongs to a class of compounds known as neurotoxins that initially approved the US Food & Drug Administration to treat eye muscle disorders known as strabismus and blepharospasm. Since then, obviously, its use has extended to other, more cosmetic uses. Botox weakens or paralyzes (depending on dose) muscles by preventing the release of acetylcholine, a signal that the nerves need to cause muscle contraction.

This is the same substance that is produced in spoiled food and causes the illness known as botulism. However, in medical use, the Botox is injected directly into the muscles involved rather than absorbed into the bloodstream, and the doses used are much less than those that cause botulism.

The jury is still out on whether Botox will ever make it into the realm of medical treatment that patients naturally turn to for migraine relief, but if you think that that Botox is the only treatment found to help with migraine that was originally created for treatment for another ailment, take a look at this list. Everything on it has been used in migraine relief and everything on it was originally designed for use against something else.

ANTIHYPERTENSIVES (blood pressure meds)

Alpha-2 agonists:

Clonidine, aka Catapres
Guanfacine, aka Tenex

ACE Inhibitors:

Benazepril, aka Lotensin
Captopril, aka Capoten
Enalapril, aka Vasotec
Fosinopril, aka Monopril
Lisinopril, aka Zestril, Prinivil
Moexipril, aka Univasc
Perindopril, aka Aceon
Quinapril, aka Accupril
Ramipril, aka Altace
Trandolapril, aka Mavik
Angiotensin II Inhibitors:
Candesartan, aka Atacand
Eprosartan, aka Teveten
Irbesartan, aka Avapro
Losartan, aka Cozaar
Olmesartan, aka Benicar
Telmisartan, aka Midcardis
Valsartan, aka Diovan

Beta Blockers:

Acebutolol, aka Secral
Atenolol, aka Tenormin
Betaxolol, aka Kerlone
Bisoprolol, aka Zebeta, Emconcor
Cartelol, aka Cartrol
Labetalol, aka Normodyne, Trandate
Metoprolol, aka Lopressor
Nadolol, aka Corgard
Penbutololm aka Levatol
Pindolol, aka Visken, Syn-Pindolol
Propranolol, aka Inderal
Timolol, aka Blocadren
Calcium Channel Blockers:
Amlodipine, aka Norvasc
Bepridil, aka Vascor
Diltiazem, aka Cardizem, Tiazac
Felodipine, aka Plendil
Flunarizine, aka Sibelium (Canada)
Isradipine, aka DynaCirc
Nicardipine, aka Cardene
Nifedipine, aka Adalat, Procardia
Nimodipine, aka Nimotop
Nisoldipine, aka Sular
Verapamil, aka Calan, Verelan, Isoptin
Other Antihypertensives:
Guanfacine, aka Tenex
Mirtazapine, aka Remeron

ANTIHISTAMINES:

Cyproheptadine, aka Periactin
Pizotifen, aka Sandomigran (UK)

ANTIDEPRESSANTS Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs):

Amitriptyline, aka Elavil (discontinued), Endep
Amoxapine, aka Asendin
Clomipramine, aka, Anafranil
Desipramine, aka Norpramin
Doxepin, aka Sinequan
Imipramine, aka Norfranil, Tofranil
Nortriptyline, aka Pamelor, Aventyl
Protriptyline, aka Vivactil
Trimipramine, aka Surmontil

MAOI Antidepressants:

Isocarboxazid, aka Marplan
Phenelzine, aka Nardil
Tranylcypromine, aka Parnate
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs):
Citalopram, aka Celexa
Escitalopram oxalate, aka Lexapro
Fluoxetine, aka Prozac
Fluvoxamine, aka Luvox
Paroxetine, aka Paxil
Sertraline, aka Zoloft

Selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs):

Duloxetine hydrochloride, aka Cymbalta

Other Antidepressants:

Bupropion, aka Wellbutrin, Zyban
Mirtazepine, aka Remeron
Trazodone, aka Desyrel
Venlafaxine, aka Effexor, Effexor XR

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder MedsSelective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor:

Atomoxetine HCl, aka Strattera

ARTHRITIS MEDSCox-2 Enzyme Inhibitors:

Celecoxib, aka Celebrex

NEURONAL STABILIZING AGENTS (antiseizure meds)

Carbamazepine, aka Tegretol
Clonazepam, Klonopin
Clorazepate, aka Tranxene
Divalproex, aka Depakote
Gabapentin, aka Neurontin
Levetiracetam, Keppra
Lamotrigine, aka Lamictal
Oxcarbazepine, Trileptal
Tiagabine, aka Gabitril
Topiramate, aka Topamax
Valproate Sodium, aka Depacon
Zonisamide, aka Zonegran

Ergot Alkaloid:

Methylergonovine, aka Methergine (the only ergot used as a preventive)

Leukotriene Blockers:

Montelukast, aka Singulair
Zafirlukast, aka Accolate
Zyleuton, aka Zyflo

Other:

Baclofen, aka Lioresal
Botulinum Toxin Type A, aka Botox
Dietary Supplements:
Coenzyme Q10
Feverfew
Butterbur, aka Petadolex
Magnesium
Vitamin B2
5-HTP (Check carefully with doctor because of interactions with meds including triptans)
Lecithin