Migraine

6 Alternative Migraine Treatments to Avoid Medication Overuse

In this video, learn about four home remedies that have been proven to help people manage their migraines.

Written by Lauren Smith, MA | Reviewed by Alexandra Schwarz, MD

Updated on March 29, 2024

Reviewed by Alexandra Schwarz, MD | March 29, 2024

Frequent migraines may have you reaching for medication often. Using certain medications for migraines too much can lead to something called a medication overuse headache.

In this video, learn about alternative and complementary migraine remedies that may help avoid medication overuse. Learn more about the pros and cons of these natural remedies here.

References

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National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2020). Peppermint oil.

Nerivio. (n.d.). Home.

Padda, I. S., et al. (2022). Botulinum toxin. StatPearls.

Ruschel, M. A. P., et al. (2023). Migraine headache. StatPearls.

Saini, R. (2011). Coenzyme Q10: The essential nutrient. Journal of Pharmacy and BioAllied Sciences.

Sasannejad, P., et al. (2012). Lavender essential oil in the treatment of migraine headache: a placebo-controlled clinical trial. European Neurology.

Sun-Edelstein, C., et al. (2011). Alternative headache treatments: Nutraceuticals. Behavioral and physical treatments. Headache.

Thompson, D. F., et al. (2017). Prophylaxis of migraine headaches with riboflavin: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.

U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (2022). FDA 101: Dietary supplements.

Wells, R. E., et al. (2011). Complementary and alternative medicine use among adults with migraines/severe headaches. Headache.

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Written by:

Lauren Smith, MA

Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.

Reviewed by:

Alexandra Schwarz, MD

Alexandra Schwarz, MD, is a board-eligible sleep medicine physician and a board-certified family medicine physician. She is a member of both the AASM and the ABFM.