MEDICATION [ back to Medication Main Page ]

DEPRESSION/MIGRAINE
If a depressed patient does well with an SSRI can he also take a triptan drug (like Imitrex or Maltex) for treatment of his migraines? The product literature cautions against it. However, the National Headache Foundation newsletter (April 2000 No: 113) states the risk of a bad interaction appears exaggerated and these agents may be used safely together under the supervision of a physician. Traditional MAO inhibitors that are taken orally in pill form (e.g. Nardil) do help depression and migraine, but are so toxic when consumed with certain other drugs or foods (carrying even the potential of death) that their use has greatly declined over the years. In Feb. 2003 psychiatrist Alexander Bodkin, MD announced that administration of the MAO medication selegilne (brand name Eldepryl) through a skin patch appears effective for relief of depression without the severe side effects or the need for rigorous dietary restrictions. If validated by other research this could bring use of MAO inhibitors for depression back into vogue. Adrenalin re-uptake inhibitors (Wellbutrin and Zyban) can be very helpful in alleviating depression in some patients but have no capacity to prevent migraine. Elavil, a tricyclic anti-depressant, is commonly prescribed to reduce depression and reduce frequency/severity of migraine. It is fairly well tolerated, but known to caused fluid retention and weight gain.