Paracetamol
Acute symptom relief in selected attacks.
View uses, evidence and experiences →MIGRAINE TREATMENTSThe treatment landscape.
The treatment landscape.
Without the noise.
Understand the main options used in Australia, what they are designed to do and where they usually sit in the care pathway. This is a directory for better conversations, not a treatment recommendation.
Clinical decisions stay with your clinician.
Suitability depends on your migraine pattern, other conditions, pregnancy status, interactions, previous treatment and individual risk.
EXPLORE BY MIGRAINE OR HEADACHE TYPE
Different patterns. Different treatment roles.
Frequency and symptoms can overlap: someone can have chronic migraine and vestibular symptoms, for example. Choose a label to explore usual roles, not to select a treatment for yourself.
General information, not personal medical advice. Some uses are off-label or supported by limited evidence. TGA approval, PBS eligibility and individual suitability differ. Do not start, stop or change treatment without your clinician or pharmacist.
Established useSpecialist use / limited evidenceEmerging evidenceSupportive care
58 treatment profiles in Clea. Directory order is not a ranking of effectiveness.
Ibuprofen
Acute treatment for selected migraine attacks.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Naproxen
Acute treatment and sometimes short-term strategies discussed by clinicians.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Aspirin
Acute treatment in selected adults.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Sumatriptan
Migraine-specific acute treatment.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Rizatriptan
Migraine-specific acute treatment.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Eletriptan
Migraine-specific acute treatment.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Zolmitriptan
Migraine-specific acute treatment.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Naratriptan
Migraine-specific acute treatment.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Rimegepant
Migraine-specific acute treatment and, under approved conditions, prevention.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Atogepant
Preventive treatment for eligible adults.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Metoclopramide
Nausea/vomiting support and sometimes part of acute migraine care.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Prochlorperazine
Nausea and vertigo symptom support in selected situations.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Domperidone
Nausea support in selected people.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Candesartan
Established non-migraine-specific preventive option.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Propranolol
Established preventive option.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Metoprolol
Established preventive option.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Topiramate
Established migraine preventive.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Amitriptyline
Established preventive used particularly when sleep or pain factors coexist.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Nortriptyline
Preventive option used in selected people.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Venlafaxine
Preventive option in selected people.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Sodium valproate
Preventive option used selectively.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Pizotifen
Older migraine preventive option.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Flunarizine
Preventive option used in some countries and specialist contexts.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Fremanezumab (Ajovy)
Migraine-specific preventive therapy.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Galcanezumab (Emgality)
Migraine-specific preventive therapy.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Eptinezumab (Vyepti)
Migraine-specific preventive therapy.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Erenumab (Aimovig)
Migraine-specific preventive therapy.
View uses, evidence and experiences →OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox)
Preventive treatment for selected chronic migraine patients.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Greater occipital nerve block
Short-term or bridging option in selected headache settings.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Sphenopalatine ganglion block
Procedure discussed in selected headache services.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Trigger point injections
Sometimes used when myofascial pain coexists with headache.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Cefaly
Non-invasive neuromodulation option for acute and/or preventive use depending device mode.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Nerivio
Wearable neuromodulation used for migraine in markets where available.
View uses, evidence and experiences →gammaCore
Neuromodulation option used for some headache disorders in selected markets.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Relivion
Non-invasive head-worn neuromodulation in markets where available.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Single-pulse TMS
Non-invasive neuromodulation for selected migraine indications.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Magnesium
Supplement sometimes used as part of prevention.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
Supplement used in migraine prevention.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Coenzyme Q10
Supplement sometimes used for migraine prevention.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Melatonin
Sometimes discussed when sleep disturbance and migraine coexist.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Acupuncture
Non-drug preventive/supportive approach.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Cognitive behavioural therapy
Helps with coping, disability, stress and behavioural migraine management.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Biofeedback
Teaches awareness/control of physiological responses.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Relaxation training
Stress-regulation and symptom-management support.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Mindfulness-based approaches
Supports coping, stress regulation and quality of life.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Aerobic exercise
Regular graded activity may support prevention and general health.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Vestibular rehabilitation
Used for persistent dizziness, motion sensitivity and balance problems in selected people.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Sleep regularity
Regular sleep/wake timing can reduce avoidable migraine threshold changes.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Regular meals
Avoiding long gaps between meals can help some people maintain a steadier migraine threshold.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Hydration
Maintaining adequate fluid intake can reduce dehydration-related headache burden.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Migraine-informed dietitian support
Useful when diet is complicated by nausea, restrictive eating, gastrointestinal issues or suspected food patterns.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Physiotherapy for neck and movement factors
May help when musculoskeletal or movement factors coexist with migraine.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Psychological support for migraine
Supports coping, mood, disability, sleep and adjustment to chronic illness.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Occupational therapy
Helps adapt work, study, routines and environments around disability.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Exercise physiology
Supports graded exercise and confidence where migraine, deconditioning or comorbidity complicate activity.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Structured headache education
Improves understanding of migraine, treatment roles, tracking and self-management.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Migraine care navigation
Helps people organise history, identify appropriate care pathways and prepare for appointments.
View uses, evidence and experiences →Use labels are an editorial guide to the cited sources, not a clinical recommendation or an independent clinical-review badge. Each profile retains its separate review status.
Treat an attack
Used during an attack to reduce pain, nausea and associated symptoms.
Pain reliefNSAIDs and paracetamol
Often first-line options when appropriate
Migraine-specific acute medicinesTriptans
Sumatriptan, rizatriptan, eletriptan, zolmitriptan, naratriptan
Gepant / CGRP receptor antagonistRimegepant
TGA-approved for acute migraine in adults
Symptom supportAnti-nausea medicines
Metoclopramide, domperidone or prochlorperazine may be used in selected people
Prevent attacks
Used regularly to reduce attack frequency, severity and overall migraine burden.
Established preventivesBlood-pressure medicines
Examples include propranolol, metoprolol and candesartan
Established preventivesNeurological medicines
Examples include topiramate; sodium valproate is used selectively and has major pregnancy restrictions
Established preventivesAntidepressant-class medicines
Examples include amitriptyline, nortriptyline and venlafaxine
Oral gepant preventiveAtogepant
TGA-approved for adults with at least four migraine days per month
Oral gepantRimegepant
TGA-approved for prevention of episodic migraine in eligible adults
Target the CGRP pathway
Migraine-specific medicines that block CGRP or its receptor.
CGRP monoclonal antibodyFremanezumab (Ajovy)
Injection; PBS criteria apply
CGRP monoclonal antibodyGalcanezumab (Emgality)
Injection; PBS criteria apply
CGRP monoclonal antibodyEptinezumab (Vyepti)
IV infusion; PBS-listed for chronic migraine under current criteria
CGRP receptor monoclonal antibodyErenumab (Aimovig)
Available by private prescription according to Migraine & Headache Australia
Small-molecule CGRP receptor antagonistsAtogepant / rimegepant
Oral options with different approved uses
Procedures and devices
Options usually considered through a clinician or specialist service.
ProcedureOnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox)
Established preventive option for selected chronic migraine
ProcedureGreater occipital nerve block
May be offered by headache specialists in selected situations
Device-based treatmentNeuromodulation devices
Non-invasive nerve stimulation; availability and evidence differ by device
Allied healthVestibular rehabilitation
Can support selected people with motion-induced dizziness or imbalance
Lifestyle and complementary support
Usually used alongside medical care rather than as a substitute for it.
FoundationsSleep, meals and hydration
Regularity can reduce avoidable threshold changes
LifestyleExercise
Regular aerobic activity can help some people when introduced gradually
NutraceuticalsMagnesium, riboflavin, CoQ10
Commonly discussed preventive supplements with varying evidence
Behavioural supportCBT, relaxation, mindfulness
Can improve coping, stress regulation and migraine-related disability
Complementary treatmentAcupuncture
May help some people and is included among migraine prevention options by healthdirect
DEEPER GUIDES
Go deeper on the treatment you want to understand.
Treatments
Acute migraine treatment
Acute treatments are used during an attack to reduce pain and associated symptoms. Options include simple analgesics, triptans, gepants and anti-nausea medicines.
Read guide
TreatmentsTriptans for migraine
Triptans are migraine-specific acute medicines. Several are available in Australia in different formulations.
Read guide
TreatmentsGepants: rimegepant and atogepant
Gepants block the CGRP receptor. In Australia, rimegepant is approved for acute and preventive use in adults, while atogepant is approved for migraine prevention in adults with at least four migraine days per month.
Read guide
TreatmentsPreventive migraine treatment
Preventive treatment aims to reduce how often migraine occurs, how severe attacks are and how much migraine disrupts life.
Read guide
TreatmentsOral migraine preventives
Many established migraine preventives were originally developed for blood pressure, epilepsy or mood conditions.
Read guide
TreatmentsCGRP monoclonal antibodies
CGRP-targeting monoclonal antibodies are migraine-specific preventive treatments given by injection or infusion.
Read guide
TreatmentsBotox for chronic migraine
OnabotulinumtoxinA is an established preventive option for selected people with chronic migraine and is administered by trained clinicians.
Read guide
TreatmentsAnti-nausea medicines in migraine
Nausea and vomiting can be major parts of a migraine attack. Anti-nausea medicines can be used alone or alongside other acute treatments.
Read guide
TreatmentsMagnesium, riboflavin and CoQ10
Magnesium, riboflavin (vitamin B2) and coenzyme Q10 are commonly discussed nutraceutical options for migraine prevention.
Read guide
TreatmentsNeuromodulation devices
Non-invasive neuromodulation devices stimulate specific nerves or brain pathways and can be used for acute or preventive migraine treatment in selected people.
Read guide
TreatmentsVestibular rehabilitation and physiotherapy
Vestibular rehabilitation can help selected people with motion-induced dizziness, balance problems and visual-motion sensitivity.
Read guide
TreatmentsCBT, mindfulness and relaxation
Behavioural and psychological strategies can reduce stress-related amplification, improve coping and support migraine management alongside medical care.
Read guide
TreatmentsParacetamol for migraine
A practical, evidence-informed guide to paracetamol for migraine, what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsIbuprofen for migraine
A practical, evidence-informed guide to ibuprofen for migraine, what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsNaproxen for migraine
A practical, evidence-informed guide to naproxen for migraine, what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsAspirin for migraine
A practical, evidence-informed guide to aspirin for migraine, what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsSumatriptan
A practical, evidence-informed guide to sumatriptan, what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsRizatriptan
A practical, evidence-informed guide to rizatriptan, what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsEletriptan
A practical, evidence-informed guide to eletriptan, what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsZolmitriptan
A practical, evidence-informed guide to zolmitriptan, what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsNaratriptan
A practical, evidence-informed guide to naratriptan, what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsRimegepant
A practical, evidence-informed guide to rimegepant, what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsAtogepant
A practical, evidence-informed guide to atogepant, what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsProchlorperazine
A practical, evidence-informed guide to prochlorperazine, what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsMetoclopramide
A practical, evidence-informed guide to metoclopramide, what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsDomperidone
A practical, evidence-informed guide to domperidone, what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsCandesartan
A practical, evidence-informed guide to candesartan, what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsPropranolol
A practical, evidence-informed guide to propranolol, what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsMetoprolol
A practical, evidence-informed guide to metoprolol, what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsTopiramate
A practical, evidence-informed guide to topiramate, what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsAmitriptyline
A practical, evidence-informed guide to amitriptyline, what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsNortriptyline
A practical, evidence-informed guide to nortriptyline, what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsVenlafaxine
A practical, evidence-informed guide to venlafaxine, what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsSodium valproate
A practical, evidence-informed guide to sodium valproate, what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsFremanezumab (Ajovy)
A practical, evidence-informed guide to fremanezumab (ajovy), what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsGalcanezumab (Emgality)
A practical, evidence-informed guide to galcanezumab (emgality), what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsEptinezumab (Vyepti)
A practical, evidence-informed guide to eptinezumab (vyepti), what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsErenumab (Aimovig)
A practical, evidence-informed guide to erenumab (aimovig), what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsGreater occipital nerve block
A practical, evidence-informed guide to greater occipital nerve block, what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsMagnesium for migraine
A practical, evidence-informed guide to magnesium for migraine, what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsRiboflavin for migraine
A practical, evidence-informed guide to riboflavin for migraine, what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsCoQ10 for migraine
A practical, evidence-informed guide to coq10 for migraine, what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsAcupuncture for migraine
A practical, evidence-informed guide to acupuncture for migraine, what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsCBT for migraine
A practical, evidence-informed guide to cbt for migraine, what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsBiofeedback for migraine
A practical, evidence-informed guide to biofeedback for migraine, what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
TreatmentsNeuromodulation devices
A practical, evidence-informed guide to neuromodulation devices, what it can mean for people living with migraine and what is worth discussing with a clinician.
Read guide
AUSTRALIAN ACCESS
TGA approval, PBS listing and clinical suitability are different things.
A medicine can be approved by the TGA without being subsidised on the PBS. PBS eligibility can also depend on diagnosis, migraine frequency, previous treatment trials and prescriber requirements. Always check the current official criteria.
MEDICATION SAFETY
More is not always better.
Frequent use of acute medicines can contribute to medication overuse headache. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, cardiovascular disease, kidney or liver disease and medicine interactions can all change what is appropriate. Review your plan with a clinician or pharmacist rather than stacking treatments yourself.
Read about medication overuse headacheTHE MIGRAINE BRIEF
Treatment updates without the hype.
Clea tracks new migraine medicines, PBS/TGA changes, evidence and practical access updates.
Know what exists. Then ask the right questions.
Clea can help organise your treatment history and find the relevant migraine care pathway.
Start with Clea