2024-03-22 23:48:19
Anyone who often suffers from migraine attacks could possibly benefit from taking magnesium. Although the studies on effectiveness are not clear, it is still worth a try.
Effective medications to prevent migraine attacks all require a prescription. Magnesium is also often used for this purpose, although its success has not yet been clearly proven. The February issue of “EviNews“-Newsletters. The newsletter contains scientific information on evidence-based self-medication, is compiled by the Center for Drug Safety at the University of Leipzig and appears monthly in the Avoxa – Media Group of German Pharmacists.
“If patients want a prescription-free preparation for migraine prophylaxis, magnesium seems to be a promising option for reducing the frequency, severity and length of migraine attacks,” the newsletter authors concluded. Overall, there is too little study data and some of the existing studies have methodological weaknesses. Compared to the side effect profile of valproic acid, which is often used off-label for migraine prophylaxis, magnesium is a cheaper option.
Better than placebo
The S1 guideline “Therapy of migraine attacks and prophylaxis of migraine” mentions studies in which better results were achieved by taking 500 to 600 mg of magnesium daily than with a placebo. Magnesium oxide and citrate were used in these studies. Diarrhea (18.6 percent) and stomach irritation (4.7 percent) were reported as adverse events. The EviNews authors write that further studies are desirable in order to be able to give concrete recommendations for self-medication.
In principle, migraine prophylaxis with medication is an option for people who have three or more migraine attacks per month, who have attacks that regularly last longer than 72 hours or who do not respond to acute medication or cannot tolerate it due to side effects. Instead of medication, relaxation techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy and biofeedback can also be used for prophylaxis; endurance sports are also effective, according to the guidelines.
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