Tired of migraines? Let's talk about Triptans!

A migraine that feels like your head is going to explode, lights appear before your eyes, and you feel like you're about to vomit... Are you familiar with this experience? Sometimes you have to stay in a dark, quiet room all day, right? A migraine is not just a headache, it's something that only the person who has it knows. So today we're going to talk about a very important type of medication used to treat migraines. That's Triptans.

What are Triptans?

Simply put, Triptans are a type of medication that is given to stop a migraine attack once it has started . They are considered the first-line treatment for migraines. In most cases, these medications do not prevent a migraine attack, but they can help control the pain and other symptoms once it has started .

A migraine is not just a headache. It is a neurological condition that affects our brain. This is why, in addition to the headache, there are things like vision changes, seeing lights in front of our eyes (aura), nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. For some, these symptoms are so severe that they can't do anything except lie down in a dark, quiet place until the migraine is over.

Triptans, discovered in the 1980s, revolutionized the treatment of migraines. The first triptan, `(Sumatriptan),` was introduced in the 1990s. Several other triptans were introduced later.

What types of triptans are there?

There are currently seven types of triptans. All of them treat migraines, but some are approved for specific types of migraines and for use in children and young adults. The easiest way to identify these medications is to look for the suffix "-triptan" in their names.

The table below lists the types of triptans and how they can be obtained.

How do these drugs called Triptans actually work?

To understand how this medication works, we need to understand a little about how we feel pain and how migraines occur.

Let's take a look at how we feel pain.

Imagine that you hit your finger somewhere. The pain isn't actually felt by the finger. The nerves in the finger send a signal to the brain saying, "Something's hurt here." The brain translates that signal into "pain" and makes you feel it.

Our brains don't have pain-sensing nerve endings, which is why scientists still don't fully understand how migraines occur. But they have now discovered several mechanisms that may contribute to this.

The story behind migraines

It is believed that three main factors contribute to the occurrence of migraines:

1. Neuron activation: Our brain, spinal cord, and nerves are made up of cells called neurons. When a migraine occurs, some neurons in the brain fire in a specific way. This activation of the brain is what causes us to feel pain and other symptoms of a migraine.

2. Changes in blood circulation: During a migraine, the blood vessels in the brain constrict and dilate. This changes the blood flow. Since triptans affect these blood vessels, this is also thought to be a cause of migraines.

3. Inflammation: Inflammation is a process our body uses to protect and heal itself. It has also been found that chemicals that cause inflammation are released during migraines.

How do triptans affect this process?

Now let's see how Triptans intervene in this. The cells of our nervous system are connected to each other through chemicals called neurotransmitters. These are like keys. Nerve cells have parts called receptors. These are like keys. When the right key (neurotransmitter) connects to the right key (receptor), the cell will activate.

Triptans work by mimicking the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain. This means that these drugs bind to and activate receptors for serotonin. They mainly affect three types of receptors:

• 5HT1B receptors: These are found in the blood vessels of the brain. When triptans activate these receptors, the blood vessels that have been unnecessarily dilated due to migraines constrict. This reduces pain.
• 5HT1D receptors: These are located in the ``Trigeminal`` nervous system, which is involved in our pain perception. When triptans activate these, they stop the release of pain-causing chemicals.
• 5HT1F receptors: These also help limit the transmission of pain signals to the brain.

What are the benefits of using Triptans?

Triptans have many advantages compared to previous migraine medications.

• Fewer side effects: Triptans have fewer side effects than older medications, and they are not as severe.
• Not addictive: Some painkillers for migraines, especially opioids, can be addictive. However, triptans are not addictive.
• Very safe: Triptans are generally a very safe class of medications. Medications like `(Sumatriptan)` are so safe that in some countries they can be purchased over the counter at a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription.
• Available in different forms: As we saw in the previous table, these can be obtained in different forms such as pills, nasal sprays, and injections. A nasal spray is much easier for someone who has difficulty swallowing a pill or is vomiting.

Are there any disadvantages, side effects, and complications?

Like any medication, Triptans have some side effects and things to be aware of.

Disadvantages of Triptans

The main disadvantage is that they do not prevent migraines . They are used as rescue medication to "stop" a migraine after it has started. However, there is one special case, and that is menstrual migraine. Some triptans can help prevent migraines if taken about two days before your period. Your doctor will advise you on this.

Another thing is that it is not good to use them too much . Some people need more than one dose of the medicine to reduce migraines. However, if you take Triptans too often, their effectiveness may decrease. Not only that, but you can also get a ``medication-overuse headache'' due to overuse of the medicine. Therefore, it is very important to use these only in the prescribed dose and frequency, as the doctor says .

Common side effects

Although not everyone gets these side effects when taking triptans, some people may experience them.

When should you not take triptans?

Triptans are not suitable for people with certain health conditions (Contraindications).

• Interactions with other medications: If you are taking other medications containing ``Ergotamine`` for migraines or for other conditions, they may interact with Triptans. Therefore, it is essential to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, and supplements you are taking .
• Heart disease or circulatory problems: Triptans are not suitable if you have heart disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension), or peripheral artery disease. Doctors also do not recommend these medications if you have had or are at risk for heart rhythm disorders, heart attacks, strokes, or TIAs.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, you should definitely talk to your doctor about using triptans.

When should you seek medical advice?

When to call the doctor

If you have severe side effects from triptans, if they interfere with your daily activities, or if you feel like a medication you've been taking for a long time is no longer working, talk to your doctor. He or she may be able to give you a different triptan or another treatment.

Situations that require immediate treatment

Triptans cause very rare (less than 1%) serious side effects, but if you experience any of the following symptoms of heart disease or stroke, you should go to a hospital's emergency department (ETU) immediately .

Symptoms related to heart disease:

• Chest pain or discomfort
• Fast heartbeat (Tachycardia) or slow heartbeat (Bradycardia)
• Difficulty breathing (Dyspnea)

Symptoms related to stroke:

One of the main symptoms of a stroke is paralysis, numbness, or weakness on one side of the body (hemiplegia). These symptoms can also occur in some severe cases of migraine.

If you have never had a migraine before and experience a severe headache with stroke-like symptoms like these, consider it an emergency.

Which Triptan is best for me?

This is a question that many people ask. There is no such thing as the "best triptan." A drug that works very well for one person may not work as well for another. Your doctor will decide which triptan is best for you and how to take it (pills or spray) based on many factors, including the nature of your migraines, your other health conditions, and other medications you take .

Before the discovery of triptans, migraine sufferers had a very difficult life. Today, thanks to these medications, millions of people are free from the pain of migraines and can lead normal lives. If you suffer from migraines, don't just tolerate the pain. Talk to your doctor and see if triptans can help you. These medications can help you live your day normally, instead of being paralyzed by migraines.

Migraine, Triptans, Migraine, Sumatriptan, Headache, Migraine medicine, Painkillers