Muscle relaxants for migraines
Muscle relaxants can be surprisingly effective for the prophylactic treatment of migraine headaches. It is surprising because migraine is a brain disorder and not a disorder of muscles. However, studies have shown that during a migraine attack muscles are in fact very contracted and that is probably why people find some relief by rubbing their temples and the back of the head. We also thought that Botox works by relaxing these tight muscles, but it turned out that it also works on nerve endings. Muscle relaxants also do more than just relax muscles – they actually work on brain mechanisms of migraines. Not all muscle relaxants help migraines and the most evidence exists for tizanindine (Zanaflex). A double-blind study was done by Dr. Alvin Lake and his colleagues and it showed very good efficacy and few side effects. The target dose was 8 mg three times a day, but the average dose was 18 mg a day. The main side effect of this drug is sedation, but otherwise it is fairly benign. Baclofen (Lioresal) is another muscle relaxant that has been subjected to a double-blind study and was found to be effective for the prevention of migraine headaches. The drug was also given three times a day with a total dose ranging from 15 to 40 mg a day. The main side effect of baclofen is also sedation. Other muscle relaxants, such as metaxalone (Skelaxin), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), clonazepam (Klonopin), and other have helped some patients, but there are no scientific studies to prove their efficacy in migraine.
Here is a blog post on giant cell arteritis or temporal arteritis – https://www.nyheadache.com/blog/a-new-drug-is-approved-for-temporal-arteritis-cause-of-headaches-in-those-over-50/
Has anyone been tested for Giant Cell Arteritis? I’ve noticed some comments regarding Ocular and Temporal migraines, which is a symptom of GCA and is known to trigger further migraines.
I see I’ve come late to the “party.” Excuse my ramble but it’s been a long road and difficult to explain. I just hope it helps someone suffering similarly. First, thank you for posting on the use of these drugs in the treatment of migraines and headaches. Your post helps to confirm what I’ve come to realize. I’m 63 and have suffered from migraines since my twenties. They became chronic in my mid 40s and vestibular in my mid 50s. I suffer vertigo, screaming tinnitus and excruciating migraines back to back for months at a time then they subside. They feel like an electrical storm going on in my head and inner ear which is unbearable. At times I saw no future life worth living. I’ve seen many doctors and have had numerous scans and tests done. These frequent “attacks” became a disability so had to quit my job. I have asked my GP and neurologist directly about other drugs and their reply was sumatriptan. Around 5 years ago I was prescribed cyclobenzaprine for a bout of muscle spasms caused by a whiplash injury when I was 40. I was also suffering migraines with vertigo. I think it’s no coincidence but one whole interactive disorder. Not understanding that, I rarely ever took this drug since prescribed because I didn’t want to become dependent. But last spring/summer had another severe bout vestibular migraines with muscle spasms so took cyclobenzaprine for the spasms. I couldn’t help noticing my vertigo disappeared when I took it. Since it appeared to treat my vertigo I decided to try taking between 5-15 mg daily and have done so since late summer, 2019. It’s the first time I’ve ever taken it regularly and, low and behold, my migraines are now rare. Glad I experimented with it. I’ll tell my GP about my experience and sent him to your blog. I do worry about the ultimate effects of cyclobenzaprine on my brain in regards to dementia. But at least for today and the near future my life is productive and physically active. I also take a number of supplements for migraine: 500mg magnesium, 300mg CoQ 10, 400mg B2 riboflavin, Vit D 5000 mc. I also try to keep stress to a minimum. Possibly all together with cyclobenzaprine they’re helping. I’m now convinced, for me, the cyclobenzaprine is almost a cure. I still get an occasional migraine but most are a headache that I can treat with a couple ibuprofen, maybe topped with a 25mg tablet of sumatriptan. Thank you for taking migraine as a serious medical condition and blogging about it. I look forward to reading more!
Bill – what has been your outcome? I have both migraines and chronic daily headaches that both derived after an auto accident 4 years ago. the migraines seem to be relatively in check with medicine (Topamax), but the chronic headache is the unknown variable, as most physical activity exacerbates the headache, which seems to be identical to yours. I have gone through the same treatments, and then some, and have even pondered nerve decompression surgery, or lesser intrusive treatments to check there effects, in lieu of the decompression surgery, which may lead to multiple surgeries. If this doesn’t make its way to you after 5 years, perhaps it will make it’s way to someone else with a similar story. Regards, Tom
The muscle relaxers mentioned don’t work for all. I’ve tried them all. No sedation at all no relaxing. Other more powerful relaxers. Migraines are not just a brain thing muscles are involved so much. Why Botox does work!
Yes, there is a very good scientific (double-blind, placebo-controlled) study of tizanidine for chronic migraines. It was fairly large, involving 200 patients and it showed that tizanidine is clearly better than placebo in relieving chronic migraines. You can direct your neurologist to the article that describes this study.
I was wondering if there is much evidence for use of tizanindine for chronic daily headache that is far more of the tension-type than classic migraine? I have a diagnosis of New Persistent Daily Headache, a form of chronic daily headache, that has proved refractory to elavil, topomax, depokate, three rounds of botox, IV-DHE, and occipital nerve blocks, and physiotherapy. Characterized by vice-like pain and great tenderness on palpitation bi-laterally over the course of the occiptial nerves, it is unremitting. My neurologist wants me to start on sibelium but, wary of the side effects, I might ask him to prescribe tizanindine instead.
Great blog, Dr Mauskop.
Best
Bill