Migraine Treatment

Starting an online consultation for migraine treatment at UK Meds is simple and usually takes only a few minutes. Every request for prescription migraine medicine is reviewed by a registered independent prescriber who decides if treatment is suitable for you.

1. Select the migraine treatment you would like to request through UK Meds. All prescription supplies depend on a completed consultation and clinical approval.
2. Complete the online questionnaire so a registered prescriber can assess your symptoms and medical history. If the treatment is right for you, a prescription will be issued.
3. Once approved, your order will be prepared and delivered using the method you choose, arriving in discreet packaging as early as the next working day.

The quickest way to ease a migraine is to rest in a dark and quiet room, use simple pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, stay hydrated and try a cold or warm compress on your head or neck. These steps can help reduce symptoms like throbbing pain, light sensitivity and nausea.

At-home and immediate actions

These actions can help manage migraine symptoms at home, especially when taken early. 

Remember that these actions are not a substitute for seeking medical professional advice.

When to see a doctor

You should speak to a doctor if your migraines are frequent, severe or not improving with over-the-counter medicines.

A doctor can assess your symptoms, rule out other causes and discuss treatments such as prescription migraine medicines, including triptans, if they are suitable for you.

Seek medical advice before using medicines like aspirin or ibuprofen if you have other health conditions, especially stomach or heart problems.

Long-term prevention

Lifestyle changes can help reduce how often migraines occur. Regular meals, good sleep habits, physical activity and stress management can all make a difference.

Keeping a diary of symptoms, triggers and early warning signs can help you and your doctor plan the best long-term approach.

What is a migraine?

A migraine is a neurological condition that causes repeated attacks of intense headache and other symptoms linked to how the brain and its nerves work. It happens when overactive nerves in the brain release chemicals that trigger a migraine attack, even though there is no physical damage to the brain itself.

Most people describe a migraine as a strong, throbbing or pulsing pain that often affects one side of the head more than the other (NHS, 2022). It can make everyday activities difficult and may come with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light, sound, movement or smell. Many people need to rest in a dark and quiet room until the attack eases.

If you regularly have severe headaches that last for several hours or even days, it is important to speak to a healthcare professional so you can get the right diagnosis and support.

Understanding the different types of migraine

The main types of migraine are based on the symptoms that appear before and during an attack, which helps guide treatment.

• Migraine without aura: This is the most common type and causes a headache without early warning signs.
• Migraine with aura: This type includes short-lasting symptoms such as flashing lights, blind spots or tingling before the headache begins.
• Silent migraine: Also known as migraine aura without headache, this involves aura symptoms but no actual head pain.

Episodic and chronic migraine

Migraines are also grouped by how often they happen, which helps people understand the impact and the type of care they may need.

• Episodic migraine refers to migraine attacks that happen less often.
• Chronic migraine means having headaches on 15 or more days a month. This can be very disruptive and may require specialist management.

How common are migraines in the UK?

Migraine is one of the most common neurological conditions in the UK, affecting around 10 million people, according to NHS England. Migraine-related sick days lead to about 3 million lost workdays each year and cost the UK economy close to £4.4 billion. Migraines and severe headaches are also among the top neurological reasons people attend A&E.

A migraine attack can last anywhere from four hours to three days, which can affect daily routines, relationships and emotional wellbeing (The Migraine Trust, 2024).

Key stats about migraine prevalence in the UK

Video guide: Understanding a migraine

The video below from the Mayo Clinic explains how migraines develop, the key symptoms to look out for, and practical ways to manage attacks. It offers a clear visual guide for anyone wanting to understand migraines better.

Migraines are usually caused by changes in the brain that affect nerves, blood vessels and chemicals, and these shifts can be influenced by genetics, hormones and the environment around you. Many people inherit a higher chance of getting migraines, and women are more likely to experience them because of hormonal patterns and differences in brain structure. Since these factors often overlap, it can be hard for a clinician to pinpoint one single cause, which is why migraine management can take time.

Everyday triggers can also set off a migraine attack, according to Havard Health, and these are often linked to how your body reacts to stress, light, sleep and physical activity. Common triggers include the factors below.

Food and drink can also play a role because certain ingredients affect the brain’s chemical activity. Keeping a simple food diary can make it easier to recognise patterns and find out if particular items are linked to your symptoms. Common food related triggers include the items below.

Triggers are not the same for everyone and it often takes a little time to work out what affects you. If you get frequent migraines or find they are hard to manage, speaking to a healthcare professional can help you get the right guidance and support.

Migraine symptoms describe a group of neurological changes that cause head pain, sensory problems and changes in how you feel. A migraine is not just a strong headache. It is a recognised neurological condition that can create intense throbbing pain on one side of the head and can affect your vision, mood and general wellbeing. These symptoms develop because the brain’s nerves, blood vessels and chemical messengers react in a sensitive way to certain triggers.

What are the common symptoms of a migraine?

The most common migraine symptom is a pulsing or throbbing headache that usually affects one side of the head and can last from a few hours to several days. This pain often becomes worse with movement or when you are around bright light or loud noise, which makes everyday tasks harder.

The table below summarises frequent symptoms and why they happen.

What is a migraine aura?

A migraine aura is a short-lasting set of neurological symptoms that some people experience before a migraine attack. An aura usually affects your senses or speech and tends to last less than an hour.

• Flashing lights, bright spots or zigzag lines in your vision
• Numbness or tingling sensations, often felt like pins and needles
• Difficulty speaking or finding the right words
• Feeling dizzy or unsteady

Auras are understood to happen because of a wave of electrical activity in the brain called cortical spreading depression. This temporary change affects how nerve cells communicate and how the brain processes sensory information.

Treatment for migraines aims to ease pain, reduce symptoms and help you recover more quickly. Because migraines affect people differently, the right approach depends on your triggers, how often your attacks happen and how your body responds to treatment. By learning what sets off your symptoms and keeping a plan ready, you can manage migraines with more confidence.

How can I treat a migraine?

The quickest way to treat an occasional migraine is to rest in a quiet, dark room as soon as the headache begins. This reduces sensitivity to light and sound and gives your body time to settle. Drinking water and having a light snack can also help if you cannot lie down straight away.

Over the counter medicines such as ibuprofen or paracetamol can be helpful when taken early, although they may not be strong enough for more intense migraines. If these do not provide enough relief, prescription medicines known as triptans may be more suitable because they target the migraine process directly.

Prescription migraine medicines

Triptans act on the brain pathways involved in migraine attacks and can reduce pain, nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light or sound. Common triptan medicines used for acute migraine treatment include the options below.

Other treatment options

Some people find extra comfort from non-prescription products that offer a cooling effect on the forehead during a migraine attack. These do not treat the migraine itself but can help manage symptoms.

Lifestyle changes can also support migraine control. Eating regular meals, staying hydrated, maintaining a healthy sleep routine and limiting caffeine often make a noticeable difference. If migraines become frequent or very disruptive, a GP may recommend relaxation therapy, acupuncture or newer medicines called gepants. These work differently from triptans and may suit people who do not respond well to other options. You can read more about gepants through The Migraine Trust.

Coping with migraines

Knowing your triggers and keeping a clear treatment plan ready can make attacks easier to manage. It helps to let friends, family or colleagues know what support you need when a migraine starts so you are not coping alone. If your symptoms become more severe, more frequent or do not improve with treatment, you should speak to a GP or migraine specialist for tailored medical advice.

Where can I buy migraine tablets online?

You can buy migraine tablets online through services like UK Meds, which provides access to both prescription migraine medicines and over-the-counter treatments. Migraine treatments can ease pain, reduce symptoms such as nausea or sensitivity to light and may help prevent future attacks. At UK Meds you can explore clinically recognised options from home, making it easier to find a treatment that suits your symptoms and daily routine. All prescription-only requests at UK Meds require an online clinical consultation and a registered prescriber will decide if a medicine is appropriate for you.

Can I get a prescription for migraine treatments at UK Meds?

You can request a prescription for migraine treatment at UK Meds by completing a secure online consultation that reviews your symptoms, medical history and any current medicines. A registered prescriber will assess your answers and decide whether a treatment is safe and clinically suitable for you. This process helps ensure that any prescribed migraine medicine is appropriate for your condition and is supplied with your health and safety as the priority.

At UK Meds, we take great care to provide accurate, trustworthy and up-to-date information about health, wellbeing and medical treatments. Our approach follows strict quality standards set out in our Editorial Policy and Content Policy.

All our articles are regularly reviewed by qualified professionals and updated when needed to make sure the information you read reflects the latest medical guidance. This helps you make confident, informed decisions before starting an online consultation with a registered independent prescriber for any treatment you may require.

However, the content on our website should never replace advice from a medical professional. Always speak to your GP, pharmacist or another qualified healthcare provider before starting any new medicine or making changes that could affect your health or lifestyle.

Page last updated: 18th November 2025

• Migraine - NHS
• What is Migraine? - The Migraine Trust
• Migraine - NICE CKS
• Migraine Research Briefing - UK Parliament
• Headache Disorders - WHO
• Migraine Fact Sheet - Brain and Spine Foundation
• Migraine Information & Support - The Migraine Trust
• Migraine - Neurological condition - Brain Research UK
• Factsheets and resources - National Migraine Centre

Take a look through some of UK Meds useful resources below relating to migraines:

• Migraine Awareness Week 2025: A Guide for Understanding and Support - An accessible overview of Migraine Awareness Week 2025, when it takes place, what the theme is, and how you can join in.
• The Different Types of Migraine and What They Mean - A clear breakdown of the main migraine types and how symptoms differ between them.
• Migraine Hangovers: The Post-drome Phase Explained - A straightforward explanation of the post-drome (“migraine hangover”) phase and what to expect after a migraine attack.
• Why Do Migraines Make You Vomit? Understanding Nausea and Migraine - An informative article exploring why vomiting and nausea often occur during migraines and how to cope.
• How to Get Rid of a Migraine: Practical Steps and Advice - A user-friendly guide on immediate relief strategies and longer-term support for migraine sufferers.
• “McMigraine” or “McDonald’s Migraine”? Debunking Myths and Finding Relief - A myth-busting piece that examines popular migraine “cures” and offers evidence-based alternatives.
• Disability Caused by Migraines: What Help Is Available? - A compassionate overview of how migraines can be disabling and what practical help and support exist.
• Sumatriptan Prescription Requirements in the UK: What You Need to Know - A straightforward explanation of how the prescription process for sumatriptan works in the UK and when it may be prescribed.